cleanercities.co.uk - Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 - Avoid the fines for dropping cigarette and chewing gum litter


	The Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 The act, which is now being enforced across the UK, makes it an offence to drop litter anywhere, including private land, rivers, ponds and lakes. Local authorities have increased powers in the form of 'litter clearing notices' to require businesses and individuals to be responsible for clearing litter from their own land. Full details of the Clean Neigbourhoods and Environment Act 2005, are available from the Office of Public Sector Information. Click here to be taken to the online document.
		We believe that officers & wardens who are working on the ground who enforce fixed penalty notices of £75, for dropping small litter items such as cigarette and chewing gum waste, should give or sell first time offenders a mini bin key ring bin to avoid the full £75 fine. It gives the offender the tool they need for disposing of their unwanted cigarette ends and chewing gum and sensibly addresses the problem at the root cause.

It was suggested by one council officer that personal ashtrays promote smoking. Maybe, however our product is not specifically an ashtray. We supply MINI BIN KEYRINGS - they can be used for cigarette litter but that is not their only function. cleanercities.co.uk argues that our litter bins can actually be used positively, in partnership in smoking cessation services provided by the PCT's and in the reduction of litter, thus decreasing the costs to clear it up! One of the options available to a smoker when they quit is to substitute cigarettes with nicotine chewing gum.

Chewing gum litter is also a major problem in our towns and cities - the mini bin provides a convenient solution to store small litter items so there is no excuse to throw it on the floor (-not that there ever is a valid excuse). Who do PCT's target for their smoking cessation services?

Smokers!

So providing mini bins, customised with smoking cessation contact details would seem a sensible way of targeting smokers to encourage them to quit - improve their health prospects and as a consequence reduce their negative environmental impact in terms of cigarette and chewing gum litter. Clipped to your keys - which you always need when you are out, our mini bins are an inexpensive tool that doesn't need to be maintained by caretakers or local authorities like wall mounted ashtrays or litter bins. The people responsible for the litter deal with it themselves.

The main argument that we put forward as to why our mini bins should be provided, is that in a fair and democratic system we are free to make our own choices. From an environmental point of view, the manufacture and consumption of tobacco & other cash crops have many negative effects at the local, national and global level. From deforestation to soil erosion to exploitation of the poorest people in the world, the negative impacts of tobacco go on. The least smoker's should do is use an ashtray or a mini bin key ring and not to exacerbate litter problems by dropping cigarette ends on the floor.

The term 'Sustainable Development' was defined by the World Commission on Environment & Development (The Brundtland report) in 1987 as "development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." Regardless of whether it is right or wrong to smoke, the fact is that people do smoke. Our litter bins offer a simple, affordable and maintenance-free tool to help in the common goal to reduce litter. If we don't provide adequate tools, how can we expect to reduce the amount of cigarette and chewing gum litter on our streets?

Now employers have smoke free policies in line with new legislation, smokers are forced out onto public areas where facilities are understandably limited to non-existent. Occasionally smokers (and everyone else) are treated to a wall mounted 'ash-bin' - usually emitting noxious fumes from a smouldering crisp packet! Our mini bins require no emptying or maintenance by a local authority - or employer. Individuals are responsible for their own small litter items. They encourage and promote individual social responsibility and we get quite offended when people brush them off as nothing more than a gadget that 'promotes smoking'.

Initially when we were researching the best design for our mini bin keyring, we looked at several options. We chose our design based on materials (zinc alloy and aluminium for robustness), manufacturing process, lifespan of product, quality of product, recyclability, functions, costs, etc. If looked after correctly these litter bins will last for a long time.

We offer match funding for charities and Local Authorities in terms of a discount of up to 72% discount of our retail price (dependent on quantity and logo requirements). This would work out that if a PCT & Local Authority partnered up together to distribute these novel items they would each only have to contribute 14% of the total retail price. Not bad value for a quality item that will last if looked after properly. They can be distributed free in a promotion or they could be sold to make a profit or to create social enterprises, that benefits the whole of the community.

We think that our mini bins would make a good alternative for wardens who issue fixed penalty notices for dropping litter under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005. For first offences wouldn't it seem sensible to address the problem at the root cause? Instead of a fine of £75, wardens could offer the offender the choice to purchase a mini bin keyring or take the fine. The offender would then have the tools not to drop cigarette or chewing gum litter again! Offering the offender a choice could make the situation less volatile and therefore safer for any enforcement officers.

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