Littering statistics and what are the consequences of littering?

• Litterers can be fined on the spot from $105 for a small piece of litter, such as chewing gum, a cigarette butt or a small piece of paper, or $210 for a lit cigarette butt and other items. The matter can also be taken to court where the penalties range up to $6,289
• Over 18,000 fines were issued in 2004-2005
• Over 90% of these fines were for cigarette butts littered from vehicles.

How long it takes for litter to dispose

Banana/orange peels – 2 years
Cigarette butt – 1 - 5 years
Plastic bags – 10 -20 years
Nylon fabric – 30 – 40 years
Tin can – 50 years
Leather – up to 50 years
Aluminium cans and tabs – 80 – 100 years
Plastic 6 pack holders – 100 years
Glass bottles – 1 million years
Plastic bottles – indefinitely