BAKU, July 24, 2025 — With summer in full swing, Azerbaijan’s beaches have become a popular escape for city dwellers seeking sun and sea. But alongside sunbathers and swimmers, another, less welcome sight is drawing attention: trash left behind by careless visitors.
Recent days have seen a surge in social media posts featuring disturbing images of littered shorelines — plastic bottles, food wrappers, barbecue remains, and more. Ironically, many of those seeking clean places to relax contribute to the pollution themselves.
“The paradox is that the same people searching for pristine beaches often fail to maintain them,” noted one environmental blogger in a viral post. “The beach isn’t your backyard barbecue pit — and yet many treat it that way.”
Legal consequences, however, are no joke. According to lawyer Ruslan Valiyev, hefty fines are prescribed under Article 266 of Azerbaijan’s Code of Administrative Offenses, which governs violations related to industrial and household waste management.
“Individuals can be fined between 700 and 1,000 manats, officials from 3,000 to 4,000 manats, and legal entities up to 10,000 manats,” Valiyev said.
He added that specific penalties also apply for improper disposal of smaller litter:
“For discarding trash outside designated containers, individuals face a 300-manat fine, officials 1,000 manats, and legal entities 4,000 manats.”
Despite public outrage and legal deterrents, the problem persists. Environmental advocates are calling for stricter enforcement, increased signage at beaches, and broader public awareness campaigns.
“It’s not just about fines — it’s about respect,” said one activist. “Respect for nature, for others, and for the shared spaces we all rely on.”
Authorities urge beachgoers to be mindful of their waste and report violations to local environmental monitoring services. Clean beaches, they emphasize, start with individual responsibility.
