Cigarette Litter Prevention

Keep Virginia Beautiful was founded on anti-litter efforts 70 years ago, and it remains the focus of our largest efforts. Cigarette butts continue to be the single most littered item in the United States!  Cigarette litter is particularly harmful and prevalent in urban areas. One rain storm can carry thousands of cigarette butts into creeks, streams and rivers where they are harmful to our wildlife and water quality.

Cigarette Butt Info

According to Keep America Beautiful, key research findings indicate that that the most effective ways to address cigarette butt littering include increasing the availability of ash receptacles and portable ashtrays, decreasing the amount of existing litter through clean-up activities, and educating the public with motivational messages that target individual responsibility and obligation.

We provide groups, businesses and municipalities the opportunity to tackle cigarette butt litter. We are often at public events handing out convenient cigarette butt pouches and auto ashtrays for smokers to properly dispose of their butts.  We can help start a Cigarette Litter Prevention Program with information, guidelines, forms for recording progress, and cigarette butt receptacles.

ReceptaclesIf you are interested in receiving one or more cigarette butt receptacles at no charge, we offer them when available from our partners or through grant funds.  We typically offer either a metal wall or pole-mounted model that is permanently mounted, or a sturdy plastic stand up model.

Pocket Ashtray

You can also request flat, metal-lined pocket ashtrays, as well as ashtrays that fit in cup holders of vehicles and boats.  We distribute these at no cost when we have inventory and funds available for shipping. 

Please complete the no-obligation interest form below to be included on the list for available receptacles.

If you’ve picked up cigarette butts during a litter cleanup or by emptying cigarette butt receptacles and would like to learn more about how they can be recycled at no charge, please learn more about Terracycle.

Learn more about Keep America Beautiful’s Cigarette Litter Prevention Program, including grant opportunities, resources, and other ways you can get involved.

Cigarette Butt Receptacle Interest Form

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