By YASEMIN TALAT
THE EPA Victoria’s summer litter crackdown is underway with cigarette butts the key focus.
The EPA launched a new mobile litter reporting site this summer to help combat the littering problem along with their Summer Litter Campaign.
EPA CEO John Merritt said more than 90 per cent of the $3.5 million in fines issued for littering in 2012 were for butts thrown from cars.
He added that cigarette butts also made up about 50 per cent of the litter generated in Victoria.
“So, no apologies, those caught littering from cars will face hefty fines – including a maximum penalty of $577 for flicking a lit cigarette,” Mr Merritt said.
Figures also reveal that around 25 of bushfires in Victoria’s park and forests were caused by discarded cigarette butts.
The EPA’s state wide Summer Litter Campaign will run until Labour Day weekend in March.
Stop litter where it starts by reporting litterers this summer – visit www.epa.vic.gov.au/reportlitter or call 1300 EPA VIC (1300 372 842).
