Kuwait Mandates Construction Waste Removal Within 7 Days
The Kuwait Municipality has issued a decisive new directive clarifying that it will no longer take responsibility for the removal of waste generated from building, demolition, or repair projects. Under the new rules, the duty to clean up construction sites rests entirely on the shoulders of property owners or their appointed contractors.
Strict Deadlines and the "Build, Don't Destroy" Campaign
Hamidi Al-Mutairi, the Director of the Safety Department in Al-Jahra, announced that all construction debris must be transported to designated disposal sites within a specific timeframe. Depending on the scale of the project, owners and contractors have between three to seven days to clear the waste.
This move is part of the "Ammar La Tukharrib" (Build, Don't Destroy) campaign. To support this initiative, contractors are now contractually required to maintain appropriate waste containers at their construction sites to prevent clutter and environmental hazards.
Who is Liable for the Fines?
The municipality has established clear guidelines to determine who will be held accountable when debris is left behind or improperly dumped. Liability is dictated by the nature of the work being performed:
- Contractors: If a formal, legal agreement exists between the owner and the worker, the contractor is held liable for waste management.
- Property Owners: In instances involving minor or unauthorized repairs on private residences where no formal contract is in place, the responsibility falls directly on the property owner.
Failure to clear debris from the area in front of properties will result in the immediate issuance of fines.
Heavy Penalties for Illegal Dumping
The enforcement of these rules is already underway. In the Farwaniya governorate, Mohammad Al-Muwaizri, head of the safety inspection team, issued eight warnings on September 30 regarding the illegal dumping of construction waste in public streets, vacant plots, and other public areas.
These regulations are backed by the Environment Public Authority’s standing rules, which classify the dumping of demolition waste on sidewalks or public roads as a violation of Article 33 of the Environment Protection Law. Violators face significant consequences, including:
- Fines of up to 500 Kuwaiti Dinars.
- Full liability for the costs of site remediation.
Residents and tenants planning home improvements are strongly advised to include specific debris removal clauses in their repair contracts and to verify all municipal regulations before starting any interior or exterior work.