2024 Green Grants Award #2: Keep Middlesex Beautiful

Sunset on a beach with words Keep Middlesex BeautifulCongratulations to Keep Middlesex Beautiful for their $750 grant award for Cigarette Litter Prevention!

Located on the Middle Peninsula, Middlesex County is well known as a destination for camping, boating, and the Oyster Festival.  But all the beautiful and scenic environment they offer doesn’t just happen on its own!  Keep Middlesex Beautiful! (KMB) is a volunteer committee chartered and sponsored by the Middlesex County Board of Supervisors established to serve, support and inspire a litter-free and beautiful Middlesex County.

Cigarette litter in Middlesex (as in Virginia, the USA, and globally) continues to represent the largest single contributor (by number) of litter in the County. Whether it is roadside butts, or butts flicked at entrances of our parks, trails and public area, Middlesex County and Keep Middlesex Beautiful aim to reduce, if not eliminate, cigarette butt litter through the strategic placement of free standing cigarette butt receptacles in key public points throughout the county including: Middlesex County Dog Park; Old County Courthouse, Woodward Building, Heritage Trail, Canoe House Beach Park, Middlesex County Skate Park, Deltaville Community Association Center, Middlesex County Museum, Mill Creek Boat Ramp.

Green Grant funds will be used to purchase and place free-standing cigarette butt receptacles at transition areas at these locations, where cigarette butt litter most often occurs.  These efforts will further reinforce anti-littering messaging and activities throughout the County. Coupled with their Great Middlesex Green Up, and Middlesex Recycles! Program, this No Butts About It! initiative will enhance their overall mission.

Many people may not realize that cigarette butts are recyclable! Terracycle offers Cigarette Waste Free Recycling program where participants collect butts, download a free shipping label, and send it to Terracycle to recycle.  They are given a second life when they’re made into picnic tables, outdoor chairs, and other useful items.

Thank you Keep Middlesex Beautiful for caring about cigarette butt litter in the landscape and waters of our Commonwealth!