New Waste Act admission of guilt fines: A sufficient deterrent?

24 Aug 2015 1 min read Environmental Alert Article

Admission of guilt fines are now applicable to certain specified offences under the Waste Act. The maximum fine is R5, 0000.

The Regulations only apply to general waste and not hazardous or priority waste, as defined under the Waste Act.

Whilst general waste has less environmental impacts than hazardous waste, it is likely that these Regulations will be severely criticized by environmental groups as the maximum admission of guilt fine is extremely low, particularly when compared to other fines under the Waste Act and does not provide any significant deterrent.

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