Insert Presenter name/title Insert date/location Implementing a Cigarette Litter Prevention Program

 What is cigarette litter? – Partially-smoked cigarettes, cigarette butts, matches, lighters, and packaging that have been dropped to the ground  Cigarette butts are the most littered item—representing 35% of items collected*  Individuals typically don’t consider tossing cigarette butts littering Cigarette Litter Facts *Source: 2006 Ocean Conservancy International Coastal Cleanup

 Residents and businesses – Requires additional maintenance – Owners bear expense of cleanup around businesses  Community quality-of-life – Decline in tourism, foot traffic, business and housing development – Focus on “small” issues creates safer, livable communities The Costs of Cigarette Litter

 It’s unsightly – Accumulates in gutters, along fencing, outside doorways, and bus shelters – Creates a sense of disorder  Cigarette butts don’t disappear – About 95% of cigarette filters are composed of cellulose acetate, a plastic which can persist in the environment*  Harmful to waterways and wildlife – About 18% of litter ends up in local streams, rivers, and waterways* – Poses hazard to animals and marine life when they mistake filters for food Cigarette Litter and the Environment *Source: Clean Virginia Waterways

 Many smokers don’t consider their behavior littering: – Some believe dropping cigarette butts on the ground and extinguishing them by stepping on them is acting responsibly – Some drop butts into gutter or storm drains thinking this is a safe way to extinguish a cigarette – And, some blame littering on lack of ash receptacles Cigarette Littering Misconceptions

 Since it’s small, “it doesn’t matter” – Only 10% of cigarette butts are deposited in litter receptacles* – 35% of smokers toss five or more cigarette butts per pack on the ground**  Most cigarette littering occurs at “transition points” – Areas where a smoker must extinguish a cigarette before proceeding: – Outside retail stores, hotels, office buildings – Bus shelters – Train platforms Cigarette Littering Misconceptions *Source: Beverage Industry Environment Council. Community Change Pty Ltd. Understanding Littering Behavior in Australia, June 1997 **Source: iQ Research & Consulting, Keep America Beautiful Pocket Ashtray Study, January 2008

Implement Keep America Beautiful’s Cigarette Litter Prevention Program  Goal: – To noticeably reduce cigarette butt litter  Strategies: – Enforce anti-litter laws – Build public awareness – Install ash receptacles at transitions points – Encourage the use of pocket ashtrays How Can a Community Respond?

Program Components Pocket Ashtrays Public Service Ads Ash Receptacles Review Litter Laws

 2006 roll-out to 50 communities resulted in an average 46% reduction in cigarette butt litter  In 2007, 75 communities saw a 55% reduction of cigarette litter on average; some reported as much as 65% – 2007 programs implemented in downtown areas, beaches, parks/recreation areas, and rest areas along highways/roadsides Program Results

 Gather a team  Assess needs and establish a budget  Kick-off Cigarette Litter Prevention Program  Evaluate impact  Sustain and expand How the Program Works

 That’s you! – Who’s missing from the team? – Learn about cigarette litter – Select area for program launch  Where is cigarette litter a problem?  Prioritize local areas to target –downtown –park –public area along waterway or beach –recreation or tourist attraction  Start where team members can work together Gather a team

 Investigate local litter laws  Conduct cigarette butt litter scans – Scan is a count of cigarette butt litter along1-2 blocks within the program area – Scans identify key transition points – Assesses program impact  Budget and gather resources – Ash receptacles – purchase, installation and maintenance – Pocket ashtrays – Public education and media coverage Assess Needs and Establish a Budget

 Roll out media  Place ash receptacles Program Kick-Off  Handout pocket ashtrays

 Conduct a follow-up scan  Re-scan any time between five weeks and three months after start of program  Gauge public awareness – Track media coverage – Consider surveying residents to measure public awareness Evaluate Impact

 Maintain existing program – Gather long-term support to keep it going  Grow the program – Expand to other priority areas – Enlarge reach of existing program Sustain and Expand

First Month  Understand local cigarette butt litter problem  Gather and educate team of stakeholders  Identify program area Campaign Timeline

Months Two and Three  Review local litter laws  Conduct first cigarette butt litter scan  Set program budget; identify funding sources and in-kind support  Identify key transition points  Order ash receptacles and pocket ashtrays  Create public messaging and media Campaign Timeline

Next Three Months  Launch program – Educate the public – begin media campaign – Install ash receptacles – Distribute FREE pocket ashtrays  Measure results – Conduct follow-up scan – Gauge public response Beyond Six Months  Maintain existing program  Expand to other priority areas or grow existing program Campaign Timeline

 Cigarette litter scan  Ash receptacle and pocket ashtray information  Public education/media: – Print ads – Photos – Brochures – Model news release  Sample budget  More at Program Resources

Since 1953, engaging individuals to take greater responsibility for improving their community environments.