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 AshtraysPublic 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 www.PreventCigaretteLitter.org

Program Resources

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