Seized haul of illegal cigarettes and tobacco in Wolverhampton set to be recycled

Trading standards officers in the city have seized up to 372,000 illegal cigarettes, 50kg of rolling tobacco and 12kg of chewing tobacco.

Now they have been handed over to the No Ifs & Butts recycling scheme, which will recycle them into compost and damp-proof courses for homes.

Councillor Steve Evans, cabinet member for city environment for Wolverhampton Council, said: "We will not tolerate the sale of illegal goods in the city and our Trading Standards team works very hard to identify and clamp down on offenders and remove any stock.

"Thanks to the No Ifs & Butts recycling programme, we have an opportunity to make sure the items we have seized are transformed into something beneficial.

"It’s great to see such an innovative approach to dealing with the illegal goods which supports our environmental commitments."

Specialist machines separate the tobacco leaves and paper wrappers from the cigarette butts and then mix them with mulch. Cigarette butts, which contain plastic, can be used in damp-proof courses.

The large haul would previously have been burned, but officers were keen to look for more environmentally friendly options to support Wolverhampton Council's drive to become carbon-neutral by 2028.

Chiefs have urged people to be wary of the unusual taste, cheap price, unusual packaging, spelling mistakes or incorrect logos when buying cigarettes or tobacco.

They may also have health warnings that may not be printed in English, might not display a picture, might not be printed on a white background and may have different sized lettering to usual.

Anyone who thinks they may have been sold illegal goods or suspect someone is selling them, should email trading.standards@wolverhampton.gov.uk or visit www.citizensadvice.org.uk