The number of cigarette butts in the litter stream has gone down according to the 2010-11 National Litter Index released today by Keep Australia Beautiful.
A total of 29 butts per 1000m² were found in 2010-11 compared to 32 in 2009-10. Overall this continues a positive downward trend from a high of 35 butts in 2006-07.
While representing only a very small volume of overall litter, just 0.003 litres per 1000m² (down from 0.004m² in 2009-10), butts still remain the most numerous individual item by number in the litter stream. The next closest was plastics adding 12 items per 1,000m², while paper items contributed a further 11 items.
Overall litter was down at 61 items per 1,000m² in 2010-11 compared to 66 in 2009-10. This is also down from a high of 74 items in 2006-07. The overall volume of litter also decreased, recording 6.49 litres in 2010-11, down from 7.55 litres in 2009-10.
The Report covers eight different site types - beaches, carparks, highways, industrial, recreational parks, residential, retail and shopping centres. Each count records all items of litter present. From the number of items, volumes of litter are estimated using well established conversion factors.
To find out how your State or Territory compared against the national average visit www.kab.org.au.
The 2010-2011 National Litter Index can be found at www.kab.org.au.
Date: 22 August 2011
