Cigarette butts might be small but they have the capacity to cause big problems across the Bega Valley.
Recent litter checks show they're now the most common form of litter in the shire and Council is urging residents to think twice before flicking one away.
While the dangers of smoking are well known, the environmental and safety risks from cigarette butt litter are less understood.
Cigarette butts are made from synthetic fibres that don't biodegrade and they contain toxic chemicals that leach into soil, waterways and marine environments.
"When cigarette butts are dropped on the ground they often wash into drains and end up in creeks, rivers and the ocean," Council's Litter Project Officer, Krista Dodsworth said.
"Once there, they can harm marine life and contaminate waterways. Research shows just one discarded cigarette butt can pollute up to 40 litres of water.
"To put that in perspective, Australians drop about 8.9 billion cigarette butts each year, enough to contaminate 356 billion litres of water or roughly 140,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools."
Beyond their impact on the environment, cigarette butts are also a serious fire risk.
A single smouldering cigarette can ignite dry grass or roadside vegetation, especially during hot and windy conditions.
Council is encouraging smokers to always use a bin to dispose of cigarette butts responsibly.
"The message is simple: bin your butts," Ms Dodsworth said. "Even small actions make a big difference when it comes to protecting our natural environment, wildlife and community safety."
Council is in the process of drafting the Bega Valley Litter Action Plan with assistance from a community steering committee and funded by the NSW EPA through its Litter Prevention Grants.
For more information on the environmental impact of cigarette butt litter, visit Clean Up Australia's Cigarette Butts page or learn more about fire risks on the NSW Rural Fire Service website.
