Media Release: 22 January 2009
Two bushfires on the outskirts of Sydney this week, reportedly started by the careless flick of a cigarette butt, have prompted the Butt Littering Trust to issue a national reminder to all Australians.
"Grass, bush and house fires are often accidently started by cigarette butts not being butted out and disposed of correctly," says Wendy Jones, Executive Director of the Butt Littering Trust. "This small neglect can result in significant damage and risk to life".
State fire services have recently issued severe bushfire warnings and with Australia Day seeing large numbers of Australians heading outdoors to celebrate over the long weekend – the threat of more fires loom.
"We're encouraging people to show pride in their country and 'Please butt it, then bin it', says Jones. "In particular - avoid fuelling the bushfire threat by not flicking butts out of the car window."
"Most people don't see butts as litter and the damage they cause – this is our greatest challenge in reducing cigarette butt littering," said Jones.
"Cigarettes are small but have a huge impact on our environment, and not just causing bushfires," Jones stressed.
"Marine life can see butts washed out into waterways as food causing death or suffering and tonnes of toxins leach from butts into beaches, bays and rivers every year."
The Butt Littering Trust is an independent environmental organisation with a vision for a Butt Free Australia. 'The Trust' initiates, supports and partners projects that reduce butt littering through its Butt Free Solutions including education, infrastructure and enforcement, freely available through their website.
**High resolution photographs of bushfires available**
Media or interviews contact:
- Wendy Jones, Executive Director on 03 9898 0087, 0418 172 400 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
- Lara Shannon Consulting on 03 9592 4001, 0415 076 015 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
