Smoking related litter can be found on over 80% of streets in Wales and it is estimated that 122 tonnes of cigarette litter is dropped everyday across the UK.
“Dropping one cigarette stub may seem insignificant but it is part of a daily 122 tonne problem so it is part of a heavy weight litter problem,” says Mike Rhodes, Waste Management Monitoring and Enforcement Officer at Isle of Anglesey County Council.
This Christmas and New Year the Waste Management Section is heading a campaign on Anglesey to get smokers to think about smoking related litter. The ‘Please help to keep your streets butt free’ campaign is designed for adults and will be seen at pubs in Menai Bridge. Posters, beer mats and information packs will be provided to landlords this week.
“We hope to give practical support to landlords at this busy festive season,” said Mike, “cigarette ends are harmful to the environment.” Smoking litter is the most common street litter in Wales. It is wrongly believed that cigarette stubs are biodegradable and made of cotton. However they are made of cellulose acetate, which can take up to 12 years to biodegrade.
Cigarette waste bins are available outside pubs, restaurants and most venues, “We are campaigning to encourage smokers to dispose of their waste responsibly,” said Mike. Smokers can use stubbies – portable pocket ashtrays. It is hoped that landlords will be offered a number of these to give away to customers over the festive period.
“We will continue to do everything to make our streets clean and keep Anglesey clean and green,” says Cllr Bob Parry OBE, the Council’s Environmental Portfolio Holder.
