Handley Regional Library

To help educate its citizens about the negative consequences of cigarette butt litter and to provide a solution for their around the locality’s library, Frederick County is being announced as a $1,000 grant in the Litter Prevention category of Keep Virginia Beautiful’s 12th Annual Green Grants Program.

The new project builds upon the success of the county’s existing “Clean Sweep” litter abatement program that utilizes trustees from the regional jail twice a week to clear roadways of unsightly litter.

The Green Grant Litter Prevention project will focus on a walking trail that was constructed along the lake on the grounds of the county’s Handley Regional Library.  The trail is a welcome addition to the library grounds and provides a safe area for recreation.  It includes story boards along the scenic trails. However, due to the added number of visitors, there has been a noticeable increase in cigarette butt litter. At this time, there are no receptacles for butts on the grounds or along the trail.

Placing cigarette butt receptacles along the trail will give smokers an opportunity to properly dispose of their cigarette butt litter.  The goal of the project is to see a significant decrease in the number of cigarette butts tossed on the grounds, along the trail, and near the lake each month.

Printed materials posted inside the library’s lobby, in message centers at convenience sites located across the county, as well as posts on the county’s website and Facebook pages will raise awareness that cigarette butts, though small, are still litter, costly to clean up, and harm the environment. Information on cigarette butt litter will also be where hits can be measured.

Because cigarette butts are the most littered item in the state – and in the world! – we appreciate Frederick Counties’ efforts and look forward to the results!