Litter is anything that is left where it is not supposed to be - cigarette butts and drink containers dropped on the street, a napkin blowing off a café kerbside table, an apple thrown out the car window and grass clippings swept into the gutter. Littering is also an offence, incurring possible fines of $100 to $6,000.

Everyone can play a role in maintaining the health of our bay and keeping our city looking good.

Visit a Port Phillip town hall and grab a BIN IT OR SWIM IN IT hackey sack or portable ashtray. Port Philip's own Beach Rangers will also be out and about at major Events handing out merchandise and the best advice on keeping the beach clean this summer.

The lifespan of individual pieces of litter on the beach and in the sea is longer than you think:

• Cigarette butt: three to four years
• Aluminium/steel can: over 300 years
• Plastic bottle: over 450 years
• Public transport ticket: two to four weeks

• Put litter in a rubbish bag and garden waste in a compost bin rather than sweeping or hosing it into the gutter and drain.
• Never pour chemicals, such as used motor oil and paints, down the stormwater drain.
• Wash you car on grass or, better still, take it to a car wash that recycles water and keeps detergents out of the drain.
• Pack a rubbish free lunch with reusable containers and drink bottles.
• Secure waste in your bin and recycling container to prevent spillage.

• Dispose of your rubbish in an appropriate receptacle. If this isn't possible, or a bin is full, take your rubbish with you and dispose of it when you get home.
• Dispose of cigarette butts in a bin, public butt bin or carry your own personal ashtray - you can pick up one for free from a Port Phillip town hall.
• Carry a litter bag in your car for collecting rubbish.
• Always pick up after your pet.
• If you see a piece of rubbish, why not pick it up and place it in a bin, rather than walking by.

Littering is an offence, incurring possible fines of $100 to $6,000.

Offences include placing advertising material on cars, depositing household or business rubbish in a public litter bin, and throwing rubbish from a motor vehicle.

You can report people that litter by filling out an Environmental Protection Authority litter report form. Forms are available from the EPA by telephoning 1800 352 555 or at www.epa.vic.gov.au/Litter/, or pick one up from a Port Phillip town hall.

Download the Keeping it Clean this Summer booklet for details of the council's programs that are reducing litter in Port Phillip, and how you can help.

Use eServices to ask us a question, request information or give us feedback online. If you prefer call ASSIST on (03) 9209 6777 or TTy (03) 9209 6713 and ask for Waste Management.