Butts Out
CIGARETTE
BUY-BACK PILOT PROGRAM
Volunteers
from the San Rafael Clean campaign have begun a unique
litter-reduction program in conjunction with St. Vincent
de Paul Society in San Rafael.
Diners of San Rafael's St. Vincent de Paul Society dining
room are invited to participate in a 'buy-back' program
wherein they can receive $1 per ounce of discarded
cigarette litter. Butts must be dry and contained in bags
given to the participants along with gloves and
instructions. Startling results are occurring. In the
first two weeks of the program, 90,000 cigarette butts
were turned in! Initial funding is being provided by SRC
Business Partner Bellam Self Storage and Boxes.
Volunteers Libby McQuiston and Laurie Sheldon, who came up
with the idea and did the initial outreach to St.
Vincent's, said the program benefits everyone because it
gives their folks who are struggling financially an
opportunity to contribute in a meaningful way, while
providing them much-needed income. St. Vincent's sees it
as a win-win as well, and has contributed all the staff
time and coordination of the program. This pilot project,
exclusively geared toward program participants of St.
Vincent's dining room, will run through the end of March,
at which point it will be reviewed in light of the data
gathered to decide how to continue it as an ongoing,
sustainable component to our overall litter reduction
goals.
Businesses are
encouraged to sponsor the program.
Donations can be made by contacting Cory
Bytof at
(415) 485-3407; Email: Cory.Bytof
Facts about cigarette litter
-
Cigarettes are the number one item picked up on Coastal Cleanup
day.
.
- An estimated 4.5 trillion
cigarette butts are littered worldwide every year.
.
- Cigarette smoke contains up to 4,000 chemicals.
.
- Most cigarette filters are made of cellulose
acetate and do not biodegrade.
IMPACTS
OF CIGARETTE LITTER ON MARINE LIFE
When it rains, water carries litter through
our storm water pipes ends up in our creeks and bay. Storm water
is not treated, so all litter and cigarette butts are dumped directly into these
waterways. In fact, 95% of the litter on beaches comes
from suburban streets through the storm water system. Birds and
aquatic animals can mistake the butts as food, which can result
in death. Butts have been found in the stomachs of young birds,
sea turtles and other marine creatures. Another serious concern
is that toxic chemicals leach out in water and threaten the well
being of marine life.
WHAT
YOU
CAN DO
Stub your cigarette completely out then use
a nearby trash can
Get a
Pocket Ashtray
Encourage others to use a receptacle
Most people just don't know that their cigarette butts
are real litter with
real consequences.
Oscar Says: Don't Trash San Rafael -
San Rafael
Clean volunteers are distributing drink coasters to bars and
restaurants in San Rafael to educate smokers about the need to
dispose of their cigarette butts properly. Approximately 20,000
coasters have been distributed. Thanks to our volunteers for
designing, printing and distributing the coasters!
And thanks to the following sponsors for making them possible:
InnerWorkings
- San Francisco Toyota - Corporate
Media Systems
____________________________________
SOURCES:
International
Coastal
Cleanup
ButtsOut,
Integrated Litter Solutions
Cigarette
Litter Org
EcoRecycle
Contact Information: Cory Bytof; 415.485.3407; Email:
Cory.Bytof