Fredericksburg’s Clean and Green Commission


The City of Fredericksburg

Clean and Green Commission

Cigarette Butts are Litter Campaign

 

Do:

The Commission recognized that cigarette litter in the downtown historic and commercial section of the city had increased since smoking indoors had become against the law.

Did:

  • The Commission applied for a grant from Keep Virginia Beautiful.
  • Matching funds were received from the City of Fredericksburg and the DEQ Non-Competitive Litter Grant.
  • A task committee was formed.
  • A timeline and budget for goals was developed. (Appendix A)
  • Identified the worst littered areas by doing a scan and targeted businesses therein to support the efforts. The group initially approached the project by doing an initial scan over a 2+ block area. A total of 2,414 butts were picked up.
  • Handed out pocket ashtrays with education component. Some hand out on the street work was done but the significant impact came from the adopting of displays given to target businesses. The displays were made by the City Public Works Office.  Businesses that put out a display were visited and refilled as needed. 12 Businesses are currently in the display/handout program.
  • Receive permission from the City’s CPURC to purchase, get business adoption of and city installation of sidewalk ashcan receptacles.
  • Once approved by CPRUC a business proposal to adopt the cans was solicited to target businesses.

Results:

  • The Commission received fund support from 3 sources.
  • The Commission performed before and after scans of the target area.  A 35% reduction in cigarette litter was attained. Most impressive was the dramatic reduction in butts in areas that were high volume in the 1’st scan. (Appendix B )
  • 1,000 pockets ashtrays were distributed. 12 businesses are willing to stay on with this program once we receive the additional 2,000 pocket ashtrays on order.
  • Ten businesses agreed to adopt one sidewalk ashcan and keep it emptied.
  • Three also agreed to purchase a backdoor can for employee use. Those cans have been purchased and received.
  • Once the City Public Works puts these in place a 3’rd scan will be performed to see its impact.

Future:

The Commission desires to expand upon and sustain the program into the next year.

Goals include:

  • Perform additional scans to tangibly verify the impact of the efforts.
  • Apply for additional grant support.
  • Keep the pocket ashtray distribution displays active.
  • Add up to ten more sidewalk and employee cans to the area.
  • Display posters in the area.
  • Do window decals for businesses supporting the program.
  • Add the support of the City’s River Steward and the City police force.

 

 

 

 

 

APPENDIX A

Task Date(s) Comment
Task Force Meet 8/24/2011
Drafts for task force input notes on meeting 8/25/2011 Package for solicitation to businesses
budget , program components 8/30/2011 to try and encourage adoption of a
business proposal need CPURC approve 10/20/2011 sidewalk container for cigarette butts.
Develop Media Outreach week of 8/29 Anne, Nancy
press release OPED week of Oct 24 Anne
proclamation 11/8/2011 Paula
website 8/30/2011
posters
Sidewalk Container Component
Prepare for CPURC approval 9/10/2011 If task force agrees with draft
CPRUC meets 10/5/2011 will forward to Doug Fawcett
ID target businesses 8/30/2011
Prepare Business proposals dependent on week of 10/10
Visit businesses CPURC approval 10/24-10/25
Order ashcans week of 10/12
Pocket Ashtray Component
Identify area of study week of 8/29 Work with Anne Little
order pocket ashtrays 6/22/2011 1,000 delivery by 9/15/11
Get cards printed week of 9/6 1,000   use KVB model
Hand out displays ashtrays week of 10/24
Check on Businesses refill week of 11/14
Officer (River Steward) start with 50 ashtrays
Cigarette scan 1
Set potential date(s) 9/17 thru 10/1 Sat. preferably afternoon or Sun.
solicit volunteers 9/1/2011 Anne Little UMW students
Cigarette scan 2 11/20 0r 12/11 Must be same day of week and similar
timeframe as scan 1
Report to KVB 12/31/2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Appendix B

City of Fredericksburg

Clean and Green Commission
Cigarette Butt Litter
FIELD SCAN DOCUMENT
Preliminary Scan Date:  09/25/11 Follow-Up Scan Date: 12/11/2011
# of Butts # of Butts
In Gutter or On # of Ash Total # In Gutter or On # of Ash Total #
Section # Designated Area Near Drain Sidewalk Receptacles in area Near Drain Sidewalk Receptacles in area
Section 1: 400 Block William St (rt side) 19 18 0 37 78 60 1 138
Section 2: 300 Block William St (rt side) 37 110 1 147 118 49 1 167
Section 3: 200 Block William St (rt side) 28 103 0 131 52 79 131
Section 4: 100 Block William St (rt side) 16 31 0 47 32 9 41
Section 5: 400 Block William St (lt side) 29 65 0 94 24 24 48
Section 6: 300 Block William St (lt side) 43 64 1 107 27 64 91
Section 7: 200 Block William St (lt side) 149 158 0 307 77 43 120
Section 8: 100 Block William St (lt side) 34 64 0 98 24 25 49
Section 9: 900 Block Sophia St (rt side) 25 26 0 51 23 14 37
Section 10: 900 Block Sophia St (lt side) 19 14 0 33 50 31 81
Section 11: 100 Block George St (rt side) 38 93 0 131 38 13 51
Section 12: 200 Block George St (rt side) 19 23 1 42 24 39 63
Section 13: 100 Block George St (lt side) 172 255 0 427 81 34 1 116
Section 14: 200 Block George St (lt side) 21 52 0 73 9 15 24
Section 15: 900 Block Caroline St (rt side) 249 19 2 268 51 43 2 96
Section 16: 900 Block Caroline St (lt side) 49 90 1 139 49 38 1 88
Section 17: 900 Block  Princess Anne St (lt side) 37 47 0 84 29 12 1 42
Section 18 900 Block Princess Anne St (rt side) 18 34 0 52 20 14 34
Section 19 500 Block William St. (lt side) 5 44 0 49 28 32 60
Section 20 500 Block William St. (rt side) 33 64 0 97 79 28 1 107
TOTALS 6 2414 TOTALS 8 1584