Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has announced that the penalty for littering, regardless of the item discarded—be it a car, a fridge, or a plastic bag—is set at $40. During a parliamentary session, he revealed that the government is in the process of reviewing and amending the Litter Act of 2008.
Rabuka highlighted that if a corporate entity is caught violating this law, the fine would increase to $2,000, regardless of the type or amount of litter involved. He expressed concern that these penalties are inadequate for serious environmental offenses and pointed out that the definition of public spaces under the Litter Act is vague, making enforcement challenging.
The Prime Minister emphasized that the main challenge lies not in the Act itself but in its enforcement. He noted that the Ministry of Environment is working diligently to address this issue and recognizes the shortcomings in the Litter Act of 2008, as well as its 2010 amendment, calling for a review to strengthen enforcement and implementation.