Butt Free Australia is the trading name of the Butt Littering Trust – a product stewardship initiative established in 2003 by British American Tobacco Australia (BAT Australia).
BAT Australia wanted to demonstrate its commitment to proactive environmental management of the issue of cigarette butt litter through a vehicle that would provide for collaboration with other manufacturers, program service providers and government at all levels.
Nolan-ITU, an independent waste minimisation and environmental consultancy, was commissioned to prepare a scoping paper for the purposes of discussion and gathering of feedback and expressions of interest.
After extensive independent consultation with government, anti-littering groups, industry and environmental groups, the Trust model was adopted and funded by BAT Australia for an initial two year trial period.
One million dollars was allocated for successful project grant applications, supported by additional funding for all ongoing costs associated with the management of the Butt Littering Trust.
Butt Free Australia is nevertheless wholly independent in its legal status and decision-making. It is managed by a Board of Trustees, just as a Committee of Management or Board manages any other not-for-profit organisation. The Board's guiding principles are clearly set out in the Trust Deed.
The Butt Littering Trust was managed under contract by Nolan ITU (which later became Hyder Consulting) in Sydney for the first five years. An office was then established in Melbourne in 2008, staffed full time by the Trust's Executive Director and Project Manager.
BAT Australia continues to be the major contributor, recently agreeing to extend funding for another two years, based on the Trust's new 2009–2011 Strategic Plan.
As part of this plan, the Butt Littering Trust has rebranded as Butt Free Australia.
This new trading name will serve to support clearer communication and further strengthen the Trust's position as the leading advocate in cigarette butt litter management.
Downloads:
Click on titles below to download pdf files.
- Trust Scoping Paper (320 KB)
- Trust Deed (728 KB)
- Governance Protocol (44 KB)
- 2009-2011 Strategic Plan (1 MB)
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