Litter wardens to be trained, empowered as national clean-up effort expands – EPA

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will train and empower litter wardens across government ministries to enforce anti-littering laws as part of Guyana’s nationwide clean-up initiative.

This is according to Senior Environmental Officer and Coordinator for the Litter Prevention Strategy at the EPA, Jomo Tobin.

Speaking during the national clean-up exercise, Tobin said the agency’s role extends beyond physical clean-up efforts, with a broader strategy focused on long-term litter prevention and enforcement.

“We are also training litter wardens from different ministries to be a part of this… we are giving litter wardens the responsibility and the power to act when they see persons litter,” he said, while further adding, “they can charge them, take them before the court, and get the police involved.”

Tobin noted that the EPA is working collaboratively with agencies, including the Guyana Revenue Authority and the Guyana Police Force, while also utilising CCTV systems to identify offenders. He stressed that the country already has the necessary laws in place to prosecute persons who litter.

The initiative forms part of the government’s nationwide clean-up campaign, which aims to address persistent littering, improve environmental health, and enhance the country’s aesthetics amid rapid development.

He also highlighted that littering remains a major environmental concern, noting that changing public behaviour is critical to maintaining a clean and sustainable environment.

The national clean-up exercise brings together public and private sector stakeholders in a coordinated effort to improve sanitation and promote environmental responsibility across Guyana.