The Environment Ministry believes children in the school system are more conscious of littering than most adults.

Minister Dr Mahendra Reddy says they have to deal with the generation above twenty- years of age who act irresponsibly.

Dr Reddy says to overcome this, more than 640 officers from various Public Authorities have been trained by the Department of Environment to enforce the Litter Act.

“Although it has been more than ten years since the enforcement of the Litter Act 2008 its effective implementation is quite challenging given the limited resources that we have. But we are now willing to put in resources to ensure that people really start behaving responsibly. My opinion is that I think it is this generation above 20, 25 years of age are the ones we have to deal with because what I can see in our school system, children are very conscious about not littering.”

The Litter Act 2008 prescribes penalties and fines for littering in public places ranging from $40 to $5,000.

Meanwhile, the Environment Ministry confirms nine-hundred and seventy two cases of littering have been prosecuted in court in the last three years.