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Douglas Council launches anti-cigarette litter campaign in an effort to clean the city

Picture credit: Manx Radio

Leader Devon Watson says a 'culture change' is needed around disposing cigarettes

Douglas Council is partnering with the UK charity Keep Britain Tidy in an effort to reduce the amount of cigarette litter across the city.

Leader Devon Watson says the project is part of a 'broader agenda' of cleaning up the capital which a lot of people are 'demanding' be sorted.

As part of the scheme, the local authority will be handing out 'butt boxes' for free and has installed posters, banners and floor paint across the city as well as advertising on big screens during the Manx Grand Prix.

Councillor Watson says there needs to be a 'culture change' around the disposal of cigarettes.

Local Democracy Reporter Emma Draper has been speaking to him:

Whilst CEO of Keep Britain Tidy Alison Ogden-Newton says cigarette butts are the most littered item and is an 'impossible task' for volunteers and clean-up crews to collect them at events like the Manx Grand Prix. 

The charity claims that one butt can contaminate up to 1,000 litres of water and poses a 'serious threat' to wildlife.

It adds that they are made from plastic and do not biodegrade.

Ms Ogden-Newton says similar campaigns organised by the charity across the UK has led to a reduction of litter:

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