During the first half of July, ERA officials caught 35 people taking out their waste on wrong dates or timings, going against the law and instructions laid out by their respective local councils.
So far this year, the highest number of perpetrators were encountered in February, when 32 people were caught red-handed by ERA’s officials. During the first half of this month, 35 offenders were spotted, constituting a new record.
ERA’s Compliance and Enforcement Directorate has issued a number of fines during the past couple of weeks. In cases where waste is not handled according to the indicated schedules, €150 fines are issued.
Around 14 ERA officials do the rounds across the islands during the day, late in the evening and during the night. Administrative fines are issued when people are caught in the act of taking out waste in erroneous ways.
During the first half of this month, 21 people were spotted breaking the law in Gozo; 13 in Marsalforn and eight in Xlendi. In the preceding months this year, only five people were caught red-handed in Gozo, three of whom were encountered in June. Those caught breaking the law in Gozo this year were both residents and restaurant owners.
During the first half of July, nine people were also caught in Qawra and Buġibba, another four in Luqa and one in Marsaskala.
The Local Enforcement System Agency (LESA) is also responsible for enforcing in this regard. It is worth pointing out that ERA’s role as regulator is separate from the role of waste collection.
The Authority would like to take this opportunity to encourage the public to respect dates and timings related to waste handling. It is every citizen’s duty respect the rules laid down by the law in this regard.
