HH The Emir passes new law to punish litterers with jail term and hefty fines

Qatar takes great pride in how neat and clean the country is and it goes the extra mile to ensure that it remains that way. Yesterday’s measure, by HH The Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, only reinforces the belief that the country means business when it comes to maintaining cleanliness within the country. HH The Emir gave his stamp of approval for a new law on public hygiene that prohibits littering in public spaces and lays down stringent penalties for offenders, reported Gulf Times. According to the newly-issued Law No 18 of 2017, people caught littering can be fined up to QR25,000 and given a one-year jail sentence, according to The Peninsula. The law defines littering as leaving, dumping, or disposing of waste at undesignated places. The law also prohibits dumping of waste materials in public places, squares, roads, streets, sidewalks, public parks, gardens, beaches, sea, open lands, on rooftops, balconies and corridors of buildings, including private establishments, reported Qatar Tribune. Spitting, urinating and defecating in public places are also prohibited.

Here is a breakdown of littering offences and the fines that they will incur.

* Leaving waste, trash bags, food waste or waste paper in front of houses, roads or public places — QR300.

• Flowing waste water to public roads — QR300
• Washing vehicles or machinery in unacceptable places — QR300

* Throwing tissue paper, waste, empty cans and garbage or spitting on the sidewalks or public places — QR500.

• Cleaning or drying carpets, blankets or clothes outside the windows or on balconies overlooking the roads or public places — QR500.
• Throwing waste of trees or gardens on roads or in public places — QR500.
• Throwing or leaving waste, rubbish, trash bags or empty cans on the front of public stores or shops or outside the waste bins — QR500
• Throwing or leaving food waste in gardens, on the beach, in public places or land space — QR500.
• Occupying squares, roads, streets, lanes, alleys, sidewalks and public parking areas with abandoned vehicles or old equipment — QR1,000.