Waste is by no means a new issue. As early as in the 4th Century, texts stipulated that "individuals are not allowed to dump waste on public pathways". Yet, it was only at the end of the Middle Ages that what was referred to as "cleanliness" became a major concern for public authorities which called on individuals to perform this task. For example, in the 16th century, the King of France delegated to "prime contractors" by means of long term "contracts" the "cleaning of paved and non paved streets" of Paris. These contractors received their payment from the inhabitants upon "confirmation of the service provided". This short historical note clearly shows that the problems associated with what was then called "mud and filth" are still valid today in the domain of waste management.
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