Implemented earlier this year, the project has achieved a staggering reduction of littered cigarette butts across Rhodes Town Square and Majors Bay Road, Concord. These areas were found to have a high number of cigarette butts tossed in gardens, around seating and outside local shops and cafes.
Through funding received from the Environment Protection Authority (EPA), Council installed nine new butt bins across the two locations, ran an education and enforcement campaign, carried out litter surveys and made amenity improvements to encourage pride in the local area.
“The results of this project are clear – it has been a great success with on average, an 87 per cent reduction of littered cigarette butts across the sites,” Mayor Tsirekas said.
“Throughout the campaign, Council staff engaged with over 130 people through face-to-face education, issuing three fines to people who were littering and one warning.”
Since the project commenced, over 58kg of cigarette butts have been collected from the butt bins and sent to recycling company Terracycle, who are using innovative technology to create everyday items from cigarette butts including industrial grade pallets and garden pots.
“Cigarette butts look unattractive, they are harmful to the environment and fines apply for littering so please, remember to bin your butts,” Mayor Tsirekas added.
Changes to laws regarding smoking in public places are now in force (from 6 July) with smoking in outdoor dining areas and within 4m of a pedestrian entrance and exit of a public building prohibited under the NSW Smoke-Free Environment Act 2000.
These bans have been enforced in recognition of the health risks associated with exposure to second hand smoke, including increased risk of heart disease, lung cancer and lung diseases, and the high potential for outdoor diners to be exposed. For more information, read the .