Trust lifts the stakes in fight against butts

The Butt Littering Trust has consolidated its role as Australia’s leading protagonist in the fight against butt littering with the appointment of its first full-time executive director.

Chairman of the trust Ian Coles said that the appointment would provide a clear organisational identity and a huge boost to resources in order to achieve the trust’s vision of a butt-free Australia.

An office will be set up in Melbourne with additional staff to be hired in the next few months.

Since its inception in late 2003, the trust has run over 61 projects nationally with partners registering a butt littering reduction of approximately 26%.

“To help deal with the significant cigarette butt littering problem, the trust needs the commitment of a full-time executive director and more staff to extend the good work that has been done,” said Coles.

“It will also invest significantly more time working with major stakeholders to build robust long-term programs.”

Ric Hubbard has accepted the appointment as executive director. He will offer policy leadership on butt littering issues and build strategic partnerships with governments, and hospitality, transport and property business sectors.

Hubbard said his first task would be to ensure that the trust’s expertise and accumulated knowledge is promoted and used to build on the capacity of others to address the impact of butt littering on public amenity and the environment.

The trust will continue to operate through its Sydney secretariat with Hyder Consulting’s Sally Asker managing projects.