IN January this year, the Litter Prevention Regulations became enforceable and will be enforced by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). These Regulations allow the EPA to appoint Litter Wardens with authority to apprehend persons who commit litter offences. The EPA will recruit suitable persons to function as Litter Wardens. These persons will be required to undergo a period of training which will adequately equip them for the job. Focus will be given to providing a good understanding of the Regulations, and the responsibilities of Litter Wardens. Further, Litter Wardens will be provided with identification cards which would be presented as proof of their authority.

Authority to Enter Premises
Litter Wardens, upon presenting identification to the inhabitant (s) of any premises with litter that poses a public health risk, has the authority to enter the premises to remove this litter. The person (s) responsible for the litter will be required to pay for the cost of its removal. Examples of litter that pose health risks include dead animals; animal offal etc.

On entering a premise with litter that poses a public health risk, a Litter Warden may take along a person(s) as necessary to remove the litter. Any person who obstructs the Litter Warden from carrying out this litter removal is guilty of an offence with a penalty of twenty thousand dollars ($20,000).

Authority to give Notice for Removal of Derelict Vehicles
Litter Wardens have the authority to request persons responsible for a derelict vehicle found in a public place to remove it. These persons must also restore the place to a satisfactory condition. Removal of the vehicle and restoration of the public must be done within two (2) days of being given notice. It should be noted that notice can be given orally or in writing.

Any person, who fails to obey a notice given by the Litter Warden to remove a derelict vehicle, is guilty of an offence which carries a fine of thirty thousand dollars ($30,000). An additional five thousand dollars ($5,000) will be added to the fine for each day that the vehicle is left in the public area. Further, the Litter Warden can have the derelict vehicle removed, and the defaulter will be required to pay for its removal.

Authority to give Notice for Removal of Litter
Litter Wardens also have the authority to give notice to persons who litter a public place to remove such litter, and restore the area to its former state within three (3) days of being given notice. Failure to obey the notice is an offence which carries a fine of twenty thousand dollars ($20,000), and an additional five thousand dollars ($5,000) for each day that the litter is left in the public area.

Look out next week for more on the Litter Enforcement Regulations. For a closer look at the Regulations, visit www.nre.gov.gy

Share your ideas and questions by sending letters to: “Our Earth, Our Environment”, C/o EIT Division, Environmental Protection Agency, Ganges Street, Sophia, Georgetown; or email us at eit.epaguyana@gmail.com.