Community
12 March, 2025
Huge tally of butts picked up
MORE than 14,200 cigarette butts were picked up from the city streets last Sunday, March 2, as the annual Clean Up Australia Day’s Big Butt Hunt made its return to Cairns.
Marking its third year, the Big Butt Hunt, hosted by No More Butts, Cairns Regional Council and Clean Up Australia, involved almost 50 volunteers from six teams navigate the streets of Cairns CBD searching for cigarette butts.
AFL Cairns and the AFL Umpires Association volunteers joined others to bag thousands of butts alongside local councillors Rob Pyne and Trevor Tim and Gimuy rangers.
Cr Pyne said the Big Butt Hunt was an engaging way for people to show pride in their community and tidy up their local suburb.
“The cigarette butt hunt was a great way to bring the community together on Clean Up Australia Day,” he said.
“We want to wish (Clean Up Australia Day) a happy 35th birthday and thank all volunteers for their efforts over such a long period of time.
“Getting involved in a Clean Up in your area is a great way to get out, meet your neighbours and help our environment.
“With the recent weather events, it’s even more important for us to pick up rubbish on land before it gets washed out to sea.”
