21.06.07
No ifs or butts in Camden
Camden Council has launched a smoking-related litter campaign with staff dressed in ‘cigarette butt’ costumes going on patrol to encourage people to bin their butts responsibly
They handed out portable cigarette butt pouches and pointed out where smokers could bin their butts and empty packets responsibly.
Anecdotal evidence from Ireland and Scotland suggests that smoking-related litter on the streets increased following the introduction of smoking bans last year.
Throughout the awareness campaign, council staff will visit managers of buildings in hotspot areas to urge them to sign up to the ‘Bin a Butt’ action list.
The action list includes providing SRL bins outside their premises as well as giving out pocket ashtrays, and spreading the anti-SRL message.
Camden Council senior policy and projects officer, Street Environment Services, Richard Bradbury said:
“Smoking-related litter is a real problem in Camden. While tossing a cigarette butt on to the street may seem harmless, it is littering and does have a negative impact on the environment.
“With more people expected to smoke outside following the nationwide ban in July, we don’t want this leading to more smoking-related litter on our streets.
“Throughout Camden there are dedicated smoking litter bins and during our awareness campaign officers will be handing out portable ashtrays.
“There really is no excuse for people to throw their cigarette butts or empty packets in the street or open spaces.
“If smoking-related litter is disposed of responsibly, everyone can enjoy a cleaner borough.”
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