NO LITTERING
$100 to $1,000 FINE!

One reminder that everyone needs to know is the law about littering.  So the following is the section of the Nebraska law on littering.

28-523. Littering of public and private property; penalty.

(1) Any person who deposits, throws, discards, or otherwise disposes of any litter on any

public or private property or in any waters commits the offense of littering... (2) The word litter as used in this section shall mean all waste material susceptible of being dropped, deposited, discarded, or otherwise disposed of by any person upon any property in the state. (3) Whenever litter is thrown, deposited, dropped, or dumped from any motor vehicle or water craft in violation of this section, the operator of such motor or water craft then omits the offense of littering.

Nebraska Litter Penalties (Legislative Bill 495)

“CIGARETTE LITTER”

Just what exactly is cigarette litter?  Cigarette litter is any and all of the following: partially smoked cigarettes, matches, disposable lighters, packaging as well as cigarette butts.

Why do people litter cigarette butts?  Because it is small, many do not regard a littered cigarette butt as litter - more than any other form of litter, it is viewed differently by the general public.  Another excuse is cigarette butts are biodegradable which is wrong.  The filter of a cigarette is made of cellulose acetate.  This does not biodegrade like the paper and tobacco part of the cigarette.  Another is that the cigarette butt is harmless. Not true.  The “butt” part of the cigarette contains a toxic residue.

Ever tightening restrictions on smoking in public places in recent years have forced smokers outside contributing to an increase in cigarette litter.  Appropriate ash receptacles are often not readily available to meet the increased demand of smokers who have moved from buildings, businesses and restaurants to the sidewalks to smoke.  Many municipalities and small communities have not prepared for the increase in cigarette litter on the sidewalks, in local parks, along center medians of local streets and at highway exits.  If your community does not have any ash receptacles it is easy to make one all you need is an empty tin bucket and put some sand in it and label it as an ash tray.

You can make a difference.  Focus your attention and efforts on educating adults who smoke to consider the following actions: Use a portable ashtray in your car, carry a pocket ashtray or use ash trash receptacles when smoking outside.  Encourage smokers to be aware of where their cigarette will be discarded when they light-up.  Whether smokers are outside public buildings, in parks, on beaches or walking along nature trails a little bit of thought and planning will reduce the number of butts that end up on the ground.

Do not throw butts out car windows.  Use the car ashtray, a portable ashtray which may fit in the cup holder or on the window, or reuse another container with a secure top like an empty bottle.

Be aware of local litter ordinances.  Many local municipalities have litter ordinances which address cigarette litter - these are enforceable and carry penalties!

Spread the word... Don’t litter Cigarette Butts!  If you would like more information on cigarette litter contact Donna at rdchristi@plvwtelco.net or 801 W. Lincoln St., Plainview NE 68769.