EPA warns of dangers and urges public to report littering from vehicles
A man from Tarneit was fined $833 for throwing a lit cigarette from his car in a rural area near Barnawartha North, located in north-east Victoria.
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According to reports, the man did not appear at Wodonga Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, November 19, where he was charged with unlawfully disposing of dangerous litter.
The magistrate found him guilty and imposed a conviction, along with a fine of $740. The man was also ordered to pay an additional $93 in costs to the Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA).
The incident occurred on June 7, 2023, when a witness reported seeing the man toss the cigarette butt from his Toyota Camry while driving towards Melbourne at approximately 6pm. The lit cigarette reportedly bounced off the bonnet of the witness’ vehicle.
The EPA stated that cigarette butts are the most common form of litter and can cause harm to the environment, even if they do not start a fire. They often end up in local waterways through drains. The EPA also mentioned that the risk of littering increases during the hotter months of the year.
Although the incident took place in June, the EPA warned that the fine should serve as a reminder to the public to be mindful of their littering habits, especially during the summer season. The public can report littering from vehicles on the EPA Victoria website.
