Partnering to Keep Cigarette Butts out of the River

Cigarette butts are one of the most common types of litter found tossed alongside shorelines and roadways, ultimately ending up in the waterways.  TRVSC is an engaged partner with the Keep America affiliates across the Valley in educating visitors and users of the river about conservation and good stewardship practices.  One such project that TRVSC is involved with is a partnership with Keep the Tennessee River Beautiful (KTRB) in promoting the installation of cigarette receptacles at marinas and boat ramps.  These receptacles are not only useful for reminding smokers to properly dispose of butts, but also serve as a PSA of the consequences of cigarette litter in river with the colorful wrap art on each unit. KTRB offers free receptacles at no cost to owners of public spaces (marinas, restaurants, campgrounds, parks on the waterways). This is also part of a free recycling program, in which packaging is provided for the cigarette butts to be recycled for their plastic fibers. All is required is for property owners to install and maintain the receptacles. Anyone interested may submit a request for the receptacles at www.KeepTNRiverBeautiful.org/cigarettelitter 

National Recreation and Park Association recently hosted a podcast featuring Missy Marshall, Executive Director of Keep TN Beautiful, KAB Training Director, Edmund McDavis III, and Kathleen Gibi, Executive Director KTRB as they discuss the program.  To listen and learn more about this program, click here.