Virginia State University Tackles Cig Litter with Green Grant

Today, Virginia State University (VSU) has been awarded a 30 in Thirty Green Grant of $1,000 for their Cigarette Litter Prevention Program.

Virginia State University will conduct a student environmental service project in the fall that will remove cigarette litter, trash and contaminants from campus storm drainage structures, called Filterras, which are designed to filter contaminants from run-off, and improve water quality flowing into streams and rivers. The students will see the amount of cigarette butts that have accumulated, and will remove, count and weigh the contents, demonstrating the cumulative severity of the problem. Grant funds will be used to purchase eight large-capacity cigarette butt receptacles to place near residence halls on campus. The importance of the receptacles, and their locations, will be communicated via email and on social media to all students. The effort aims to prevent the Filterras from clogging, and allow their efficiency to continue to improve the water quality.