The problem
Three-quarters of English streets are scattered with smoking related litter according to a recent survey by Keep Britain Tidy. An annual survey of England (LEQSE) monitored 12,000 sites and found over 79% of them strewn with cigarette butts and packets.
This type of litter is unsightly and difficult to clean up, as the small filters fall into grates and cracks in the pavement, avoiding detection by normal cleaning processes. Cigarette filters are composed of cellulose acetate, a plastic that can take anywhere between 18 months and 500 years to break down and be absorbed back into the environment. Deposition can also lead to toxins leaking into watercourses which pose a serious threat to our wildlife.
The 2007 campaign
In June 2007 a campaign to stamp out cigarette litter was launched. The initiative was targeted at smokers who dispose of their cigarette ends incorrectly and was aimed at encouraging them to be more responsible and not litter. Campaign advertising appeared on billboards, phone boxes and other outdoor advertising sites throughout England. The council also gave away 20,000 pocket ashtrays
Our aim is
- A reduction in littered cigarette ends
- Encourage smokers to become more responsible about the way in which they dispose of cigarette ends.
- Encourage the use of pocket ashtrays where an appropriate bin is not available.
- Increase the provision of dedicated cigarette bins in and around town and city centres by working in partnership with councils.
- Encourage businesses to increase their cigarette disposal facilities for both employees and customers in and around their premises.
How can you help?
General public
- If you’re a smoker, and sometimes find it difficult to find a bin to extinguish your cigarette ends, why not use a pocket ashtray or purchase one online from ENCAMS. Encourage your employer to provide appropriate smoking areas and disposal facilities for customers and employees.
Businesses
- Install dedicated cigarette bins on your premises – Have a dedicated smoking area and clear signage so employees, visitors and customers know exactly where they should smoke and how they should dispose of their cigarettes.
- Distribute portable ashtrays to your employees or if you are a retail outlet, consider selling them to your customers.
- Sign up to the campaign, and get your business listed on the ENCAMS website as a company that is taking responsible action to improve local environmental quality.
What we will be doing
The council will help to maximise the effectiveness of the campaign by:
- Increasing enforcement where appropriate
- Increasing cigarette bin provision
- Carrying out local PR and media campaigns
- Distributing personal ashtrays to the public
Further information
To find out more about the campaign follow the the ENCAMS link on the right hand side of this page.