The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has asked people not to leave garbage bags on the streets, even if the garbage collection service providers askes to do so.

EPA in an announcement said that they have noticed a significant increase in the amount of garbage being dumped on the streets and doorsteps of Male' city.

EPA says the disposal of garbage on roadways is causing inconvenience to vehicles and pedestrians and deteriorating the cleanliness of the roads.

The Agency has noticed that the garbage is placed outside expecting the garbage collection service provider to take it away.

As such EPA noted that the agency has noticed that households take out garbage without a specific time.

Additionally, they noted that households takes the garbage out on the streets ostensibly at the behest of garbage service providers.

Furthermore, EPA noted leaving garbage outside to prevent garbage collecting workers from getting in the house or because the garbage collecting worker does not arrive at their usual time is also common now.

The EPA observes that workplaces leave trash on the streets until a pickup truck is full, dump it on the roads due to the high cost of bulk trash disposal, and place garbage in various locations for the purpose of loading garbage trucks.

The EPA said none of these activities are permitted by the Waste Management Act or the Waste Management Regulations. It is illegal to leave garbage bags and other garbage on the streets, yards and empty spaces for any reason.

EPA went onto say that the waste disposal service provider should not require the waste to be removed in this manner, and urged the public to not place garbage bags out, even if the service provider says so.

The EPA has urged waste disposal service provider to continue their service within the legal framework.

Since 01 April, 2023, Waste Management Corporation (WAMCO) has been collecting waste from the ground floor of the houses in Male' City. As a result of ndividuals dumping garbage bags on the streets, the roadways of the city have grown extremely unhygienic.