KUWAIT CITY: Kuwait is considering imposing fees on private and commercial entities for waste management services, including disposal, treatment, and destruction at authorised facilities, officials said.
Read More: Plastic pollution treaty talks end without deal
The proposal, put forward by Municipal Council member Alia Al-Farsi, aims to hold private waste generators accountable for the costs of handling waste, land reclamation, and environmental remediation. Residential households would be excluded from the fees.
Al-Farsi called for a comprehensive technical and legal study to determine charges on a per-ton basis, establish clear implementation and monitoring mechanisms, and introduce modern tracking systems for waste collection vehicles.
Citing the Kuwait Municipality Law and Municipal Waste Management Regulations, Al-Farsi emphasised applying the “polluter pays” principle, encouraging waste producers to take responsibility for their contribution to the waste stream.
The initiative is designed to promote waste segregation, boost recycling, and enhance environmental sustainability. Revenue generated from the fees would be directed towards improving waste management systems, rehabilitating degraded land, and supporting the local recycling industry.
Kuwait faces growing environmental challenges amid rapid urban expansion and ongoing development projects. Al-Farsi stressed the urgency of ensuring accountability for both preventive and corrective measures in line with municipal regulations on public hygiene and waste management.
Officials noted that the move could align Kuwait with international best practices, where private sectors contribute to the environmental costs of their activities, while also incentivising more sustainable production and waste reduction practices.
Read More: Plastic, chemical pollution beyond planet’s safe limit: study
The proposal is currently under review, and authorities are expected to announce further steps after completing the technical and legal assessment.