Severe Fines Proposed for Dumping Waste in Unauthorized Areas, Says My Step MP

Georgy Papoyan, a member of the My Step faction, proposed new tariffs and standards for waste disposal and recycling. During a meeting of the National Assembly's Standing Committee on Territorial Management, Local Self-Governance, Agriculture, and Environmental Issues, the package of amendments and changes to the Law on Waste Collection and Sanitary Cleaning, as well as to the Code on Administrative Offenses, was discussed, where Papoyan presented the proposed fines.

According to him, it is suggested that fees be set for waste collection in non-residential areas, including public and production buildings and structures, based on the total area of the building and the following rates: for buildings and structures where public catering and household services are provided, up to 1 sqm area would be charged 50-100 AMD, while for hotels and similar service providers, it would be 30-70 AMD per sqm. For buildings with medical services, airports, railway stations, and bus stations, the fee would be 20-50 AMD per sqm for production-related buildings. For administrative buildings, financial organizations, and various offices, the charge would be 5-20 AMD per sqm. For public buildings, educational, sports, and cultural establishments, the rate would be 3-15 AMD per sqm, and for other buildings engaged in various activities, it would be 10-30 AMD per sqm.

Papoyan noted that a legal entity could also pay based on the mass of waste, charging 10,000 AMD per ton of waste. Additionally, fines are anticipated for dumping waste in unauthorized locations. 'For legal entities, the fines will range from 100 to 150 times the minimum wage, with up to 200 times the fine if repeated within a year,' emphasized the MP. It is important to note that after lengthy discussions, the bill received a positive conclusion.