Spoiler Alert – There Is No Cigarette Fairy
One of our affiliates, Keep Manassas Beautiful, launched a campaign suggesting that the “Cigarette Fairy” just can’t keep up with the most littered item in our landscape and storm drains. The purpose of their campaign was to add a litter humor while engaging residents to improve their community through litter prevention. With funding awarded by Keep Virginia Beautiful’s Green Grants, their first Cigarette Litter Prevention Program raised awareness of new littering ordinances, and reminded citizens about the proper way to dispose of their cigarette litter.
However, I’m sorry to say, there is no Cigarette Fairy. There is no magic solution, folks. Just common sense. There’s so much we can do; there’s so much that YOU can do! We hope that you’ll use our website as a resource for many things — to participate in events as they become available again, or Adopt-a-Highway to clean up a stretch of road (and get your name on a VDOT sign!), or support us financially so we can continue to educate the public and put the right tools in your hands.
Speaking of tools you can use, if you’re an adult smoker who would like a pocket ashtray, all you have to do is take the pledge not to litter, and we’ll send you one for free. If you are the owner of a business or organization that would benefit from a Cigarette Butt Receptacle to deter cigarette litter, enter your name before August 31st to be included in our drawing for one of ten receptacles.
A Litter Study conducted by Keep America Beautiful revealed that smokers are more likely to litter if the environment contains any type of litter, not just cigarette butts. More littered environments encourage more littering. A clean street, parking lot, playground, and community encourages others to behave responsibly. Let us know that you would like to receive one of ten Cleanup Kits that we’re giving away this month!
*Credits for bringing the Cigarette Fairy to life go to the talented artistry of Heather Maltby-Goble’s and Evolution Printing. See more about Keep Manassas Beautiful’s campaign.