Smokers are worst litterbugs

CIGARETTE butts account for more than half of Ireland’s litter problem, new research shows.

Pedestrians and passing motorists are the worst culprits, according to a National Litter Pollution Report.

Butts made up more than 56% of rubbish discarded on the streets.

Packaging items such as cardboard, paper, bottles and caps, glass and cans comprised 17% of littering while foodrelated items made up 9% and sweetrelated items like wrappers were blamed for under 8% of litter.

Environment Minister Denis Naughten, who published the 2017 National Litter Pollution Report, said: ‘The 2017 Report shows that the number of areas surveyed across the country deemed to be completely unpolluted from litter stands at 15.6%, the second highest level ever recorded. The results also demonstrate that over 79% of all areas surveyed in 2017 were deemed to be either litter free or only slightly polluted so this is very welcome news.’

He said smokers in particular could bring about a significant improvement through relatively minor behavioural changes.

‘Everyone must accept that, ultimately, it is their own actions that will ensure whether or not we live in a litter-free environment,’ he said.