BUTTS IN BINS FOR CITY SMOKERS

The spotlight was on irresponsible smokers in the CBD during Bin Your Butt week, 2 to 6 November.

The week, a joint initiative of Keep Australia Beautiful WA and the City of Perth, reminded smokers that failing to ensure your butt is properly disposed off can result in a fine.

Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi said that while cigarette butts may be small and seem harmless, with more than 7 billion butts littered each year in Australia, the impact on the environment is devastating.

“Cigarette butts are designed to filter harmful chemicals from entering the smoker’s bloodstream. Discarded butts leach these chemicals into our soils and waterways, which can be toxic to plants and wildlife,” she said.

“Bin your Butt is a message to smokers to do the right thing and make sure your butt ends up in a bin.

“The City of Perth is pleased to join Keep Australia Beautiful to remind smokers to do so responsibly and keep the streets and waterways of Perth beautiful.”

During the week, volunteers handed out free personal ash trays to smokers throughout the CBD and businesses were encouraged to register online for the Bin Your Butt program, which will see their building be butt free.

Keep Australia Beautiful Chairman Mel Hay praised the City of Perth for being the first local government to commit to the Bin Your Butt program.

“The City of Perth’s support further enhances the efforts being undertaken by many buildings in the City via the Bin Your Butt program to eliminate butt litter,” she said.

“There is no excuse to throw your butt on the ground. It’s as simple and finding a bin to put it in and you can avoid a $75 fine.

“In addition to local authorities, in WA there are over 3000 registered litter reporters keeping an eye out for people that’s are tossing butts from their vehicles.

“Cigarette butt litter is not only unsightly but is often responsible for bush fires, which can devastate communities. As the weather heats up it’s even more important for irresponsible smokers to be aware of the result just one abandoned butt can have.”

For more information on the Bin Your Butt program, for a free personal ash tray or to register your building to be butt free phone Keep Australia Beautiful on 6467 5122 or via email to kabc@dec.wa.gov.au. 

Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi joins Keep Australia Beautiful WA chair Mel Hay and volunteers to launch Bin Your Butt week in the CBD