"Bin the Butts"

Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council, in conjunction with the Tidy Shrewsbury Group, raised awareness in the Town Square on 26 August 2008 of the problem of smokers irresponsibly discarding cigarette butts on the footpaths and streets. This initiative, supported by the council, has been organised to engage the public and businesses and make them aware that throwing cigarette butts is not only a dirty habit which costs the tax payer thousands of pounds a year, it is also illegal and a fixed penalty fine of up to £80 is liable for anyone caught throwing cigarette butts onto the streets. Council officers and members of the Tidy Shrewsbury Group offered a number of solutions to smokers including free small "stubbies" which extinguish the cigarette safely. Positive pledges were received from the public for the free "stubbie" to try and encourage responsible storage of cigarette butts. Examples of cigarette holders/trays were demonstrated to encourage local businesses to play their part in keeping litter off our streets. We are working with a number of Town Centre businesses to make them aware of their responsibility in providing containers for smokers so they do not throw them onto the street when leaving their premises.

In addition, the police have recently offered support through their Community Support Officers in issuing fines for people who throw litter and cigarettes onto the streets. Anyone caught discarding their cigarette butt on the street can expect to be issued a fine of up to £80. Therefore we are asking smokers to "Bin their Butts" responsibly from now on.

The day was a resounding success with more than 200 people visiting the information stand and signing the pledge for responsible smokers. Councillor Judith Williams fully supports the initiative and has commented that she was delighted to see such a positive response from the public. However she reminded smokers to act responsibly and refrain from discarding cigarette butts on our streets and pavements, or pay the price of a hefty fine.

Derek Caddy, Public Amenities Manger.
Tel. 01743 281150
email:  derek.caddy@shrewsbury.gov.uk