Don't be a Tosser - Do the Right Thing

The ‘Hey Tosser’ program targets littering in three identified litter hotspots: Windsor Street, Richmond; North Richmond Shopping Centre car park, North Richmond; and McDonalds/KFC car park at McGraths Hill. These sites were identified after Council conducted a litter audit across the Hawkesbury.

The ‘Hey Tosser’ campaign features the installation of new garbage bins and cigarette butt bins, as well as an education campaign aimed at reducing the incidents of litter in the area.

Ten new 120 litre capacity bins have replaced existing bins at North Richmond Shopping Centre car park and 16 at Windsor Street, Richmond. These large capacity bins will reduce the incidence of overflowing litter in the area and they are sealed to stop litter flying away.

Next week, some of the new bins will also have small cigarette butt bins (enviropoles) attached to them to encourage people to dispose of their cigarette butts correctly. A recent Council audit has found that cigarette butts account for 43% of the total litter found at the three litter hot spot sites.

The Mayor of Hawkesbury, Councillor Kim Ford is asking people to look after the Hawkesbury by simply putting their garbage in the bin.

“Littering is an offence and people need to do the right thing and dispose of their rubbish correctly,” Councillor Ford said.

“Many people don’t consider the environmental impact of discarded cigarette butts – cigarette filters are made of cellulose acetate tow, not cotton, and they can take decades to decompose.

“Cigarette litter is not only unsightly, but the toxic residue in cigarette filters can be very damaging to the environment, not to mention the numerous fires littered butts cause every year,” he said.

“We hope the trial of these new bins will prove to be a success and more people dispose of their litter in the correct manner.”

To coincide with the installation of the new bins, there will also be an education campaign that will use advertising, posters on bins, stickers and banners to remind people to dispose of litter correctly.

Council Enforcement and Compliance Officers will monitor littering across the Hawkesbury and issue fines where necessary. Residents are urged to do the right thing and not to be a ‘tosser’.

For further information on Council’s ‘Hey Tosser’ campaign, contact the Waste Education Officer on (02) 4560 4566 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Visit Hawkesbury City Council