‘Bin butts’, say Western Sydney councils

Councils across Western Sydney have joined forces to urge smokers not to chuck their butts this summer.

In collaboration with the Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils, the “bin the butts” campaign – which involves Hawkesbury, Blacktown, Cumberland, Liverpool, Fairfield, The Hills Shire, and Parramatta councils – aims to make smokers aware of the dangers caused by discarded cigarettes, particularly now that the bushfire season is upon us.

“Every year, fire brigades respond to hundreds of roadside fires caused by cigarette butts littered from vehicles. Fires sparked by littered cigarettes can spread quickly, endangering homes, lives, and wildlife,” WSROC president Brad Bunting said.

A University of Technology Sydney study found that in dry, hot and windy conditions, one in three discarded cigarette butts can ignite grassy fuel.

“Since 2020, Fire and Rescue NSW has attended around 200 roadside fires caused by cigarettes annually. Alarmingly, this spiked to 300 fires last year,” said Bunting – also mayor of Blacktown City Council.

Smokers may be unaware that littering cigarette butts is an offence under the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 and the Rural Fires Act 1997. If a lit cigarette is discarded during a total fire ban, offenders face fines of up to $11,000.

“If you smoke in your vehicle, use a cupholder ashtray and bin your butts responsibly when you arrive at your destination. These ashtrays are affordable and available at most bargain stores,” Bunting advised.

Not only are cigarette butts a serious fire hazard, they’re also a blight on the landscape. As they don’t biodegrade, they persist in the environment for years. Also, littered butts often wash into stormwater drains, releasing toxic chemicals into local creeks and rivers where they harm aquatic life.

Bunting encourages Western Sydney residents to take action if they see a chucked butt. “If you see someone litter a cigarette butt or any other item from a vehicle, report it to the NSW EPA via the website,” he said, warning: “Fines will be issued.”