Press Release from Keep New Zealand Beautiful

HEADLINE: KNZB launches Butt-free Campaign in Dunedin

Media Release – Embargoed until 5.00pm Tuesday 19 May 2009

KNZB Launches Butt-Free Campaign in Dunedin

Keep New Zealand Beautiful (KNZB), in conjunction with the Dunedin City Council is proud to announce the launch of a new campaign to rid the Dunedin’s central city footpaths of cigarette butts.

The first phase of the programme, designed to encourage the appropriate disposal of cigarette butts, will see Dunedin City install 20 cigarette butts bins in key spots around the Octagon, chosen as a premier location for kick starting the programme.

Cigarette butts have become one of the most common rubbish items in New Zealand, especially since the changes to the Smokefree Environment Act in 2004 which banned indoor smoking, and are often found within the natural environment.

Common street rubbish bins are inadequate in addressing the problem as these potentially increase the risk of fire hazard.

“We are implementing a simple and effective solution to avert unsightly cigarette butts that are needlessly discarded,” says Simon Johnston, CEO of Keep New Zealand Beautiful.

In 2006 KNZB tested the programme in a pilot initiative in Auckland, successfully demonstrating a significant reduction in the number of discarded cigarette butts and improving the local business and shopping environment. In 2008, KNZB launched a similar programme in Ponsonby, Auckland.

After gaining approval for the programme from Dunedin City Council, KNZB, together with local hospitality owners, will now work to further enhance central Dunedin as a destination point for locals and visitors alike.

“We believe that smokers will respond positively and dispose of their cigarette butts more responsibly and as a result we’ll see a reduction in cigarette butts on our streets, storm-water drains and the environment,” says Mr Johnston.

The KNZB Launch is being held 20 May 2009 at The Craft Bar, 10 The Octagon, Dunedin, 3.00pm – 4.00pm.

Notes to Editors

• Keep New Zealand Beautiful (KNZB) is a non profit organisation operating as a charitable trust to promote litter abatement, waste reduction and town and city beautification, setup under the NZ Litter Act 1979.

• KNZB litter and beautification programs are delivered through over 40 programme sites and include local, school and national litter programs and cleanup activities. Activities and projects to keep the towns and cities, streets and parks, lakes, coastal and marine locations beautiful and free of litter include:
The KNZB Clean-Up Week (formerly administered by the Clean Up New Zealand Trust)
Best Towns and Cities Awards

• KNZB work is carried out by volunteers, schools, community organisations, local councils, businesses and industrial organisations. Projects are co-ordinated by programme sites (e.g. Keep Porirua Beautiful).

Cigarette Butt Facts
• Cigarette butts are among the most commonly found rubbish items in New Zealand
• Auckland City Council estimates that about 25 million cigarette butts wash into the sea from roads and streams each year
• Cigarettes are not easily biodegradable. Estimates on cigarette biodegradability vary widely from one month to three years and greatly depend on environmental conditions
• Globally approximately 5.2 trillion cigarettes are manufactured every year. In markets where indoor smoking bans have been introduced almost 1 in 3 cigarette butts end up as litter

ENDS

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