Port St. Lucie - Thursday January 12, 2023: Keep Port St. Lucie Beautiful (KPSLB) invites business owners and commercial property owners to participate in a new program that aims to reduce in an effort to reduce one of the largest sources of litter in Port St. Lucie -- cigarette butts.
The availability of ash receptacles directly correlates to lower rates of cigarette butt littering, according to a landmark study by Keep America Beautiful. The study shows that just one additional ash receptacle can decrease the amount of cigarette litter by 9 percent in its respective area. With that in mind, KPSLB focuses on cigarette litter reduction through public messaging and offering incentives to patterning businesses.
Through the #NoButtsAboutIt Cigarette Litter Prevention Program, participating businesses will receive a free ash receptacle stand, and a pocket or cup ash receptacle (while supplies last) purchased with a grant from Keep America Beautiful. Participants will also receive free online resources and will be listed on the Keep Port St. Lucie Beautiful's webpage.
Cigarette butts may seem small and inconsequential, but they can add to a significant litter problem when tossed on the ground. Cigarette butts are the most frequently littered item in the United States, according to Keep America Beautiful. With tens of thousands being thrown away into the environment, cigarette butts significantly contribute to the plastic pollution plaguing our City.
“The Cigarette Litter Prevention Program continues to empower communities to help reduce the most commonly littered item,” says Georgette Beck, KPSLB Program Supervisor. “Providing ash receptacles and distributing public education are useful tools to spread the message in keeping our city clean.”
In 2022, KPSLB successfully collaborated with East Port Plaza and Sympatico Plaza. As a result, each received free ash receptacle stands, East Port Plaza experienced a 26.8% decrease in cigarette butt litter, and Sympatico Plaza experienced a 64.9 % decrease in litter.
To learn more about CLPP and how to participate, visit www.cityofpsl.com/kpslb.