Littered cigarette butts cause roadside fires
The Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (WSROC) has joined forces with seven Western Sydney councils to urge smokers—particularly motorists—to “bin their butts” this summer as the bushfire season approaches.
WSROC President, Mayor Brad Bunting, said roadside fires caused by discarded cigarette butts remain a serious concern.
“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,” Mayor Bunting said.
A University of Technology Sydney (UTS) study, in collaboration with Fire and Rescue NSW and CSIRO, 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,” Mayor Bunting said.
The penalties are steep:
- 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 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,” Mayor Bunting advised.
The councils of Hawkesbury, Blacktown, Cumberland, Liverpool, Fairfield, The Hills Shire, and Parramatta are urging residents to take responsibility.
Cigarette butts harm more than just roadsides:
- Made of plastic, cigarette butts don’t biodegrade and persist in the environment for years.
- Littered butts often wash into stormwater drains, releasing toxic chemicals into local creeks and rivers, where they harm aquatic life.
- Roadside fires cause traffic congestion and delays while firefighters battle to control them.
Mayor Bunting also encouraged residents to take action:
“If you see someone litter a cigarette butt or any other item from a vehicle, report it to the NSW EPA via the ‘Report to EPA’ website. Fines will be issued.”
Visit epa.nsw.gov.au and search for ‘Report to EPA’ to make a report.
Don’t let carelessness spark disaster—bin your butts!
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