WALKING, talking cigarettes took to the town centre yesterday in a bid to educate shoppers on the importance of picking up litter.

Swindon Council’s environmental enforcement team kickstarted the Litter Education Week, which runs until Friday, at the event in Wharf Green.

It costs the council £400,000 a year to clear litter from the town centre, a significant proportion of which includes picking up dropped litter and cigarette butts from pedestrian areas and scraping off chewing gum from pavements.

It is estimated between eight and 10 tonnes of waste is collected from the town centre each week, which is the equivalent weight of 10 family cars or a full school bus.

Waste officers explained to shoppers about the cost of removing litter and highlighted how some litterbugs will face on-the-spot fines of up to £80 with maximum fines on prosecution of £2,500.

As well as providing advice, the waste team also handed out 1,500 cigarette pouches or Stubbis, so smokers can dispose of their cigarettes appropriately.

However, of the 42 litter bins in the town centre 20 are specifically designed for stubbing out cigarettes.

Councillor Keith Williams, Swindon Council’s cabinet member for streetscene, said: “Everyone has a responsibility to dispose of their litter correctly and there really is no excuse for not putting it in a bin, or taking it home with you.

“The current costs and resources directed to litter clearance in the town centre could be put to a much more constructive use in improving the environment across the whole borough.”