cigarette butts

Page County Solid Waste Awarded $1,000 Green Grant

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Page County, Virginia, LogoPage County Solid Waste is awarded a $1,000 Green Grant for their Cigarette Litter Prevention Program, as part of our 13th Annual Green Grants Program.

Every year, government, non-profit, civic, and service organizations in Virginia are invited to apply for grants ranging from $500 to $1,000 that will help address an environmental concern in their community. Grants must focus on one of the following priorities: Litter Prevention, Recycling, Cigarette Litter Prevention, or Community Beautification.

Page County is a small, rural county bordering the Shenandoah National Park with a population of 23,000 people. The Solid Waste department runs two landfills  and two citizen drop-off areas. They accept trash and recycling from three towns, county citizens, and surrounding counties.

Concerned about the amount of cigarette butts littered, they will launch a “No Butts About It” campaign in an effort to raise awareness and reduce cigarette butt litter.  With funds provided by the Green Grant award, the Solid Waste department of Page County will purchase cigarette butt receptacles to encourage proper disposal of cigarette litter.

With funds received from the Green Grant award, stationary receptacles will be purchased and placed at the county’s convenience sites, and mounted receptacles will be installed at community buildings.  They will also distribute auto ash trays at different events throughout the year, such as Earth Day, Ruritan talks, and a Hazardous Waste event.  As part of the Cigarette Litter Prevention Program (CLPP), they will count cigarette butts collected in the targeted areas before the installation of the receptacles, and compare that to the number of butts found littered after the receptacles are in place.  ArcMate trash grabbers will also be purchased for the safety and convenience of those picking up the littered cigarette butts.  The data that is collected will be compared and analyzed to determine any patterns of littering behaviors.

Thank you Page County Solid Waste Department for addressing the problem of cigarette butt litter — the Number One most commonly littered item in the state!

Large Fake Cigarette Butts

Green Grant of $1,000 Awarded to askHRgreen for Cigarette Litter Prevention

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Large Fake Cigarette ButtsToday’s Green Grant award goes to askHRgreen in the amount of $1,000 for their Cigarette Litter Prevention Program.  It’s one of thirty grants being awarded throughout Virginia in June as part of our 12th Annual “Green Grants” Program.

askHRgreen.org is a public awareness program of the 17 cities and counties of Hampton Roads that is administered through the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission. askHRgreen encourages environmental stewardship among all residents in southeastern Virginia.

askHRgreen.org is dedicated to curbing cigarette litter and are actively engaged in educating the public about cigarette litter through their #NoButtsAboutIt campaign. There are two key parts to this campaign. First, large-scale cigarette butt replicas were constructed and are displayed in prominent locations around the region, bringing awareness to the problem of cigarette litter. At two feet tall, the cigarette replicas make a big statement that cigarette litter is not a small problem.

For the second action item to the #NoButtsAboutIt campaign, askHRgreen.org places cigarette waste receptacles into the hands of local businesses to assist them in eliminating cigarette butt litter on the ground and in the landscape.  Locating a convenient disposal option for smokers at transition points, such as the entry door from the parking lot of retail businesses, restaurants, grocery stores, gyms, libraries, and more, is a proven way to combat cigarette litter.

askHRgreen LogoInitially launched in spring 2021, the program has provided 48 cigarette receptacles to area businesses thus far, at no charge. This represents a small number of the businesses interested in receiving a cigarette butt receptacle at their location. There are over 100 additional requests pending for receptacles.

The Green Grant funding will help askHRgreen provide an additional twelve receptacles for area businesses, as well as create new outreach materials featuring the #NoButtsAboutIt large-scale cigarette butts.

With cigarette butts being the most often littered item in Virginia, it’s good to see programs like this one that will give smokers options for proper disposal of cigarette butts.  Congratulations askHRgreen!

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Dickenson County Chamber Awarded $1,000

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The Dickenson County Chamber of Commerce in Clintwood supports the local business community and assists them in finding resources to help them prosper.  They know first-hand that cigarette butt litter can have a negative impact on businesses, as well as residents and visitors.  They were aware that their litter control staff is constantly picking up cigarette butts in the parking lots and other places in the county.

Members of the Chamber identified several places where cigarette butt litter is found daily.  In those areas without a receptacle nearby to properly dispose of cigarette butts, there was cigarette butts littered on the ground, in flower beds, and in the bushes.  They felt if they could get some cigarette receptacles to place at selected business locations and at park entrances and trailheads, they would see a reduction in the number of butts being littered.

With funds provided by the Green Grants Program of Keep Virginia Beautiful, they will install 15 receptacles throughout the county at places where they found a large number of cigarette butts. They will also purchase pocket ashtrays to hand out to adult smokers at the Chamber Business Appreciation Cookout and the 4th of July Celebration.County Logo

The litter control personnel will help with counting the trailhead and parks collection before and after the receptacles are installed to determine the improvement that the cigarette butt receptacles have made with the cigarette litter problem.

Thank you Dickenson County Chamber for tackling the most littered item in the world!

Cigarette Butt Receptacles

Green Grant Award Goes to Communities In Schools of Hampton Roads

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Cigarette Butt ReceptaclesCongratulations to today’s award of our 2021 Green Grants — Communities In Schools of Hampton Roads, in Portsmouth, will receive a grant award of $500 for its Cigarette Litter Prevention project!

Communities In Schools of Hampton Roads is a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering students to stay in school and achieve in life. They work with communities to provide students with assistance from matters relating to food and healthcare, as well as academic assistance and mentorship programs.

Communities In Schools of Hampton Roads recently launched the “Keep Our Streets Clean” initiative, which is designed to reduce the amount of cigarette litter in the community.  The project will focus on making cigarette trash receptacles more accessible, and educating community members on the importance of properly disposing of cigarettes. Communities in Schools of Hampton Roads will use their grant funds to purchase fire-safe outdoor ashtrays and additional trash cans.

We’re grateful to have partners like these that are tackling the #1 most littered item, cigarette butts!

Every year, government, non-profit, civic and service organizations in Virginia were invited to apply for grants for $500 to $1,000 describing how they plan to tackle an environmental concern in their community regarding Litter Prevention, Recycling, Cigarette Litter Prevention, or Community Beautification.  Since 2011, Keep Virginia Beautiful has provided $254,500 for 320 different environmental programs and projects all across the Commonwealth, due to the generosity of their partnership with Altria, as well as additional support from Coca-Cola, WestRock and Keep America Beautiful.

 

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Cigarette Receptacles

Big Stone Gap Awarded $1,000 Green Grant

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Cigarette ReceptaclesCongratulations to the Township of Big Stone Gap, today’s award of our 2021 Green Grants!  They will receive a $1000 grant for their Cigarette Litter Prevention Project.  We’ll be announcing one each day during the month of June. 

Big Stone Gap is a town of over 5,000 people in Wise County. The Township is working to beautifying the downtown historical district and convert from a coal-reliant entity to a tourism-driven economy. With surrounding historical venues and outdoor recreation, he Historic Downtown is currently growing with several new restaurants and shops.

However, as tourism activity has increased in Big Stone Gap, there has been a subsequent rise in cigarette littering. Big Stone Gap will use funds from their Green Grants award to purchase and install cigarette receptacles in high traffic areas around town, including the historic downtown and public parks. The placement of receptacles will provide a significant reduction in cigarette littering, and beautify the town in the process.

Every year, government, non-profit, civic and service organizations in Virginia were invited to apply for grants for $500 to $1,000 describing how they plan to tackle an environmental concern in their community regarding Litter Prevention, Recycling, Cigarette Litter Prevention, or Community Beautification.  Since 2011, Keep Virginia Beautiful has provided $254,500 for 320 different environmental programs and projects all across the Commonwealth, due to the generosity of their partnership with Altria, as well as additional support from Coca-Cola, WestRock and Keep America Beautiful.

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$1,000 Grant Award Goes to the Town of Floyd

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Music ConcertToday we’re excited to announce that the town of Floyd, in Floyd County, will receive a grant award of $1000 for its Cigarette Litter Prevention project!  We’ll be announcing one each day during the month of June. 

The Town of Floyd is a small community with just under 500 residents who all support its thriving art and cultural scene. Through the center of town runs Warren G. Lineberry Community Park, a formerly vacant lot that was transformed for use as an event space and town gathering place. In an effort to draw awareness to cigarette litter along their streets, they plan to launch their “Butts to the Bins” campaign.

They will use the $1,000 Green Grant funds to install smoker’s receptacles throughout downtown Floyd, including the Warren G. Lineberry Community Park, the entrance and exit to the Heritage Trail, the main public parking areas, as well as the Floyd Visitors Center, and the Floyd Farmer’s Market.  Educational information bringing awareness to cigarette litter and the new receptacles will be available on a touchscreen visitor station.

Every year, government, non-profit, civic and service organizations in Virginia were invited to apply for grants for $500 to $1,000 describing how they plan to tackle an environmental concern in their community regarding Litter Prevention, Recycling, Cigarette Litter Prevention, or Community Beautification.  Since 2011, Keep Virginia Beautiful has provided $254,500 for 320 different environmental programs and projects all across the Commonwealth, due to the generosity of their partnership with Altria, as well as additional support from Coca-Cola, WestRock and Keep America Beautiful.

Altria Logo

Coca-Cola Logo        WestRock Logo         

 

$1,000 Grant Award Goes to S.A.F.E.

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Pocket AshtraysCongratulations to today’s award of our 2021 Green Grants:  Substance Abuse Free Environment, in Chesterfield County!  They will receive a grant award of $1000 for their Cigarette Litter Prevention project. We continue to announce one award each day during the month of June. 

Substance Abuse Free Environment (SAFE) is a nonprofit organization working to prevent and reduce substance abuse.  SAFE recognizes the disparity in tobacco use (and other substances) among diverse, underserved, and marginalized communities. Along with the Tobacco and Nicotine Task Force, SAFE has an African American Coalition, a Latino Coalition, and a Youth Coalition to better serve these specific communities in Chesterfield County with targeted initiatives. SAFE TNT partners with these other Coalition Coordinators to reach these specific populations to provide education and resources that are relevant, and in an accessible manner.

SAFE will use their grant funds to purchase pocket ashtrays and distribute them in kits to smokers as a means to reduce cigarette littering in Chesterfield County. In addition to the pocket ashtrays, kits will include infographics and fact sheets with cigarette littering statistics and information about the connection between tobacco use, COVID-19 and lung illnesses.

Every year, government, non-profit, civic and service organizations in Virginia were invited to apply for grants for $500 to $1,000 describing how they plan to tackle an environmental concern in their community regarding Litter Prevention, Recycling, Cigarette Litter Prevention, or Community Beautification.  Since 2011, Keep Virginia Beautiful has provided $254,500 for 320 different environmental programs and projects all across the Commonwealth, due to the generosity of their partnership with Altria, as well as additional support from Coca-Cola, WestRock and Keep America Beautiful.

Altria Logo

Coca-Cola Logo        WestRock Logo         

 

Cigarette Receptacles

Don’t Leave Your Butts Behind

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Cigarette ReceptaclesWe’re excited to announce today’s award of our 2021 Green Grants goes to the Tazewell County Sheriff’s Office in Tazewell County, who will receive a grant award of $1000 for its Cigarette Litter Prevention project. We’ll be announcing one each day during the month of June.  

Every year, government, non-profit, civic and service organizations in Virginia were invited to apply for grants for $500 to $1,000 describing how they plan to tackle an environmental concern in their community regarding Litter Prevention, Recycling, Cigarette Litter Prevention, or Community Beautification.

The Tazewell County Sheriff’s Office is a full service law enforcement agency that has developed a strong initiative to clean up Tazewell County. They have partnered with several Tazewell County civic organizations to create and support cleanup events.  Their “Don’t Leave Your Butts Behind” campaign will tackle the issue of cigarette butt litter.

The Sheriff’s Office will use their grant funds to purchase six cigarette butt receptacles to place at strategic points at county buildings.  By providing people with a place to properly dispose of cigarette butts, it will reduce the amount of cigarette butts being thrown on the ground.

The mission at Keep Virginia Beautiful is to engage and unite Virginians to improve the natural and scenic environment.  Since 2011, Keep Virginia Beautiful has provided $254,500 for 320 different environmental programs and projects all across the Commonwealth, due to the generosity of their partnership with Altria, as well as additional support from Coca-Cola, WestRock and Keep America Beautiful.

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KAB Litter Study

Roadway Litter Down 54% Since 2009

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Keep Virginia Beautiful is part of a network of 700 state and community-based affiliates of Keep America Beautiful®, who recently announced the summary of its 2020 study on litter in America.

The Keep America Beautiful 2020 National Litter Study provides a detailed understanding of the quantity, composition, and sources of litter across the United States. The organization’s 2020 study is a follow up to its landmark 2009 study, which builds on a history of science-based litter research started by Keep America Beautiful in 1969.

Key findings include:

  • Nearly 50 billion pieces of litter along U.S. roadways and waterways
  • Slightly more litter along waterways (25.9B) than roadways (23.7B)
  • 152 items for each U.S. resident
  • More than 2,000 pieces of litter per mile (both roadway and waterway)
  • 90% of people surveyed believe litter is a problem in their state
  • 6 billion pieces more than 4 inches in size
  • Most littered item remains cigarette butts, although this litter is down almost 70%
  • 207.1M PPE items littered

Keep America Beautiful retained Burns & McDonnell, a leading environmental engineering firm, to conduct its 2020 Study, which has four components: Public Attitudes Survey, Visible Litter Survey, Behavioral Observations Survey, and Financial Cost of Litter Survey (ongoing).

Dr. Helen Lowman, Keep America Beautiful President and CEO said, “I am thrilled to continue the history of Keep America Beautiful as the leader in litter research in the United States, and methodology that has now been used around the world.  This data will help inform our programs for years to come addressing both litter on the ground and the act of littering.”

Sponsors of the Keep America Beautiful 2020 National Litter Study include dozens of individuals, corporations, industry groups, and foundations highlighting our belief in the strength of bringing everyone to the table. The largest supporters include Altria, American Beverage Association, American Chemistry Council, Dow, Food Packaging Institute, Garver Hilyard Black Foundation, National Association of Convenience Stores, Plastics Industry Association, and Santa Fe Natural Tobacco.

The full summary of the Keep America Beautiful® report is available here.

The good news is that litter IS solvable!  The 54% reduction in roadside litter since 2009 is phenomenal, and the 2009 study shows a 61% reduction since 1969.  We can work together to conquer the litter problem!  Visit our website for ways you can be involved, and take the pledge to put litter and recyclables in their place, reduce-reuse-refuse-recycle, and teach others to do the same!

Leaves and Money

Get Green Money!

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Leaves and MoneyThis is the last week that we’re accepting applications for our 30 in 30 Green Grants Program, so what are you waiting for?  Get your online application form submitted before midnight, April 30th!

Do you have a business or organization that is tired of cigarette butts on the ground?  One of the categories for grant funds is Cigarette Litter Prevention.  Cigarette Butts are the most littered item in the world!  They do not biodegrade and fade away harmlessly; cigarette butts are made of cellulose acetate, which is a form of plastic that does not go away, and they contain toxic chemicals.  Although small, they move with the rain across streets and parking lots, into storm drains, and into our beautiful waterways.  Did you know that cigarette butts can be recycled?  Learn more about Keep America Beautiful’s Cigarette Litter Prevention Program, and how Terracycle turns cigarette waste products into usable products.  Then apply for a Cigarette Litter Prevention Green Grant if it’s a good fit for your business or organization!

Do you belong to a Scouting group, faith organization, or school PTO? Another category we’re awarding grant funds for is Recycling.  The first thought that comes to mind is the blue bins with the chasing arrows recycling symbol on the side – and those are very useful!  But there is much more to recycling these days, it’s not just about cardboard and paper.  Plastic produce and checkout bags, dry cleaning bags, package wrap, bread wrappers and more can all be kept out of the landscape and landfill by recycling them.  Many stores across the state, such as Giant, Food Lion, Kroger, Target, and Staples will accept the bags you bring to them.  Repurposing is another form of Recycling.  Could your group host a “Fix-it Fair” where handymen and women repair items that may otherwise be added to the landfill?  Or repurposing items for art, if you know a group that would have that talent and ability!

The two other categories for Green Grant awards is Community Beautification and Litter Prevention.  Check out our webpage to learn more, and get your applications submitted before the April 30th deadline!

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