Tougher penalties to come into force for polluting environment with animal, inert waste

The Georgian parliament has approved tougher penalties for violations of the Waste Management Code for polluting the environment with animal and inert (building, demolition waste, sand, gravel, stone) waste.

Polluting the environment with one cubic meter of inert waste will result in a fine of 500 GEL (instead of 250 GEL) for an individual and 2,000 GEL (instead of 500 GEL) for a legal entity. If the volume of waste ranges from one to three cubic meters, then an individual will be fined by 1,500 GEL (instead of 500 GEL), while a legal entity will have to pay 3,000 GEL (instead of 1,500 GEL).

The recently approved Waste Management Code also includes amendments for dog (other animals) owners.

Polluting the environment with 20 kg or less amount of animal waste will be punishable with a fine of 500 GEL (instead of 150 GEL) for an individual, while legal entities will have to pay 1,500 GEL (instead of 1,000 GEL).

If an individual pollutes the environment with 20 kg or more amount of animal waste, he/she will be fined 1,000 GEL (instead of 300 GEL), while a legal entity will have to pay 2,000 GEL (instead of 1,000 GEL) as a fine.

An individual or a legal entity will not be allowed to place animal waste in those municipal containers, which are placed for specific types of waste (for example, for papers, metal) . At the same time, polluting the environment with excrement or sewage waste will result in a fine of 500 GEL instead of 150 GEL for an individual, while a legal entity will have to pay 1,500 GEL instead of 500 GEL.