Canning the Butts - North Carolina NPR News

Canning the Butts

November 18, 2011 |

There is a 26% decrease of cigarette litter on the streets of Downtown Greensboro. Members of Downtown Greensboro Incorporated have put out 12 new receptacles. They're in high traffic areas downtown where people tend to stop and take their last few puffs before entering a restaurant, a store or an office building. They bought them using a $1,500 grant from Keep America Beautiful. The focus is to reduce litter on the streets, sidewalks and curbs from partially-smoked cigarettes, cigarette butts, matches, lighters and related packaging. Vice President Lee Mortensen says there's a connection between how a city looks and the amount of business that's done. Last September, the containers were placed at Elm Street, Friendly Avenue, Greene, Washington, Church and Market Streets. And Mortensen says the extra containers are making a difference. DGI's Clean and Green Team will continue to track cigarette litter reduction Downtown through the end of the year to assess the measurable difference in the litter prevention plan. Cigarette butts are the most littered item in America, representing nearly 30% of waste collected in clean-up initiatives.