Butt-busting project `pathetic'
Nelson Mail, 30 January 2006

Tasman Mayor John Hurley is highly critical of an environmental project funded by the council to stop people dropping cigarette butts in the street.

Motueka environmental group Community Action for People and Planet is promoting marked film canisters as portable ashtrays. But Mr Hurley said the canisters would create more waste in landfills than cigarette butts.

"I think it's a pathetic approach.''

Mr Hurley said he was surprised that the council supported the project.

Duncan Eddy of Community Action for People and Planet said Mr Hurley's reaction was disappointing.

Mr Eddy said the council had provided $600 through its zero waste funding for the Bin Yr Butts project last year, because it considered it worthwhile. More than 3000 canisters had been distributed in Motueka, Golden Bay and other parts of the district during the past year, he said.

"People have really supported the project, and shops have been really happy to promote it.''