BIN THE BUTTS
December 18 2006
Smokers will be given an early Christmas present to help the fight against litter in the city.
City Centre Rangers will be handing out free mini bins on Wednesday as part of the on-going council anti-litter campaign.
The three-inch bins can be used to dispose of cigarette butts and have been provided by the Gloucester Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership (CDRP).
And it is hoped the tiny receptacles will encourage smokers not to throw their butts onto the streets but to put them in the mini bins instead.
The council ‘s high profile anti-litter campaign has included the ‘No Ifs, No Butts’ poster which warned smokers they faced an on the spot fine of £75 for discarding cigarette ends on the city’s streets.
More than 180 people have been given fixed penalty notices for littering offences since a ‘zero tolerance’ policy was introduced in the city in June. And 21 offenders who have failed to pay have been given fines and costs totalling £3,380 by local magistrates.
It costs around £1 million of council taxpayers money every year to keep the city clean.
Cabinet Member for Streetcare, Councillor Andrew Lewis, said: "It is great that so many people have taken heed of our message and have been putting their cigarette ends into bins rather than throwing them onto the floor.
"These portable bins are easy to carry and as well as cigarette butts they can be used for chewing gum - so there is really no excuse for people to dispose of either onto the city’s streets."
Sue Tilley, Gloucester Community Safety Manager, said: "It is encouraging to see so many people committed in keeping our city streets clean, and with the public support we can stamp out the offenders and show we will not tolerate discarding cigarette ends on the streets.
"The mini bins have been very popular at community events throughout the autumn. We have been amazed that some residents who are aware of the Council's ‘No ifs, No Butts’ campaign have been putting their cigarette stubs loose in their handbags and even pockets.
"The bins also have the CDRP website address on them www.gloscrimereduction.org.uk so recipients can learn more about the Partnership activities."
Work on keeping the streets clean has been praised by a fact-finding delegation from Oxford City Council who visited Gloucester last month. For more information about the campaign go to www.gloucester.gov.uk/1million.
.