Yay to Sydney Council Rangers who now have the power to fine smokers who discard their butts on the street. Butt littering is a serious environmental problem that has been the focus of numerous educational programs to no avail. Now the council is getting serious by hitting smokers where it hurts most - their hip pocket.
Say all you like about litter in general, butts are the worst of a bad lot, simply because of their size, which can swim through gross litter filters, and their toxicity.
It is not difficult to dispose of used butts - most rubbish bins have ashtrays or you can devise your own portable ashtrays. Back in 2002 I was a volunteer for the Manly Environment Centre and spent a Saturday giving out portable ashtrays (little click top containers) to hundreds of people along the Manly Corso. I believe you can still get them for free at selected businesses. Otherwise, film containers work well, or even those Eclipse mint tins, which are airtight.
Now, if only they can start fining people who smoke while they walk, leaving a trail of non-smokers choking in their wake. Hire me!
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