Today, Louisville Downtown Partnership (LDP) unveiled a new “Butt Bin” program in Downtown Louisville, to reduce the number of cigarette butts discarded on Downtown sidewalks and streets while recycling the filters for new uses.
Thanks to a generous grant from Keep America Beautiful, LDP received 60 cigarette butt bins which will be installed by LDP in the Downtown area. Businesses or property owners can request a free bin, which will be positioned in high-traffic smoking areas to encourage responsible disposal. The bins also add a vibrant touch of color to Downtown streets with their colorful vinyl wraps.
“Cigarette butts are the single most littered item – and a pain to pick up – so this new program not only educates and helps to keep our streetscapes clean and bright; it also provides a positive impact to our environment,” said Rebecca Fleischaker, executive director of LDP. “The receptacles are attractive and convenient ways for smokers to more easily and purposefully dispose of their cigarette butts to serve a dual purpose in our Downtown.”
Cigarette filters are made of plastic, are toxic, and are often swept from the streets and sidewalks into our sewer system where they pollute our environment. LDP has partnered with TerraCycle, a leading company in recycling challenging materials, to recycle the disposed cigarette filters. Cigarette butts will be collected from the receptacles on a monthly basis by the LDP Ambassador team.
“We are already seeing the benefit of Butt Bins here at the Frazier History Museum where we host hundreds of events and over one-hundred thousand guests per year,” said Frazier President Andy Treinen. “Creating a safe, clean and enjoyable environment is part of LDP’s mission and this program provides the museum nice looking bins and fewer not so nice-looking butts outside.”
Once collected and shipped, TerraCycle cleans and separates the waste by material type, and recycles it into raw formats that manufacturers can use to make new products. For every pound of cigarette waste collected, TerraCycle donates $1 towards the Keep America Beautiful Cigarette Litter Prevention Program.
For photos of installed cigarette butt bins, click here. To request a free butt bin near your place of business, please contact the LDP office at info@louisvilledowntown.org or 502-584-6000.