SHANGHAI, June 5 -- RESIDENTS will be fined as much as 200 yuan (US$26) if found dumping garbage in inappropriate places from next month, and companies will face a fine ranging from 5,000 yuan to 50,000 yuan, under a regulation issued by the China's Ministry of Construction yesterday.

Companies and individuals must dump their trash in appointed locations and pay fees for its disposal, the Beijing News reported, citing the new regulation.

Those who fail to pay the fee in time may face triple fines – up to 1,000 yuan for an individual and 30,000 yuan for companies, the regulation said.

Trash collection companies will be fined 5,000 yuan to 50,000 yuan if caught dumping trash during transport.

Local authorities should seek public opinion when mapping out regulations on collection, disposal and location of garbage, the regulation said.

Garbage disposal facilities should be equipped with an Internet-based monitoring system and marsh gas detector, the report said.