NO BUTTS! PORTER SAYS IT’S NOT A GOOD LOOK

Launch of Butt Free Campaign

Today, Mary Porter AM MLA, Member for Ginninderra, launched the Butt FREE Canberra 2010 campaign with the message “Butt littering. It’s not a good look” to help eliminate the impact of cigarette butt littering on Canberra’s streets, nature parks and waterways. The campaign runs from Monday
17 May to Friday 21 May 2010.

“The Canberra community is unfortunately a significant contributor to around seven billion cigarette butts being littered nationally each year,” said Ms Porter.

“A significant number of Canberra’s butt litter is along roadsides and this has the potential to create fires as many major roads pass by or through Canberra nature parks. Our wildlife is also at risk when they mistake butt litter for food, in both waterways and bushlands.

“Not only are there impacts on our environment, but there’s a real danger young children can put cigarette butts they find in streets, parks or at the beach in their mouth.”

“The ACT Government is taking the message of ‘Butt littering. It’s not a good look’ to the streets and is talking to litterers who know they shouldn’t litter but still do, as well as those who are sick of seeing butts everywhere and want to do something about it.

“Personal ashtrays and information on the impacts of butt littering will be available from Garema Place from 12 pm to 4 pm throughout the week.”

Alongside the street-based education campaign, a new website – notagoodlook.com.au – is being launched which enables everyone to do something about cigarette butt littering.

This includes the ability to obtain a free personal ashtray by post in return for a pledge to PLEASE BUTT IT, THEN BIN IT®, download a poster to perhaps put up at work or send an email to a friend or colleague explaining the many impacts of butt litter.

“The ACT Government spends millions of dollars cleaning up litter from our streets and parks annually. Still, around one in 10 cigarette butts escape through drains and end up in waterways. It’s frustrating because most people know they shouldn’t litter and it’s not a good look for Canberra.”

Statement Ends
Media Contact: Andrew Hunter 02 6205 0428 bh 0431 739 775
Andrew.hunter@parliament.act.gov.au