BoatU.S. Foundation seeks litter prevention partners
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The BoatU.S. Foundation is looking for marina partners for a cigarette litter prevention program it is running in conjunction with Keep America Beautiful, a nationwide non-profit organization that strives for practical approaches to protecting the environment, it reported in a recent statement.
Cigarette butts were the No. 1 most common item found on the world’s beaches at the 2009 International Coastal Cleanup, according to BoatU.S.
“When a cigarette butt is discarded at a marina, there is a fair chance it will find its way into the water,” said Susan Shingledecker, the BoatU.S. Foundation’s director of environmental programs.
The challenge with cigarette litter, according to Shingledecker, is that, “Many people assume butts are made from paper that will break down over time, and don’t think of them as litter. However, cigarette filters are plastic and when tossed overboard or washed into storm drains, creeks and waterways they can last for decades resulting in an unsightly mess and harming fish and other wildlife.”
During last year’s program, the foundation identified over 30 marinas around the country that were willing to tackle their cigarette litter problems. Keep America Beautiful provided each marina with a cash grant to purchase cigarette ash receptacles and a supply of portable ashtrays for use on boats. Marinas were asked to install the receptacles, distribute the portable ashtrays, and educate their customers about the importance of proper disposal, Shingledecker reported.
On average, participating marinas saw a 70-percent reduction in the amount of cigarette litter as a result of the program.
“We saw a difference in the number of cigarette butts around the marina,” said one marina manager. “Placing more ash receptacles around the property gave smokers no excuse to toss them on the ground. The program was certainly worth our time.”
Marinas wishing to join the program for 2010 need to complete a short questionnaire located at www.boatus.com/foundation/LitterSurvey to be considered. A total of 50 marinas are needed, and if selected, will receive funds to cover the cost of ash receptacles and a supply of portable ashtrays, according to the BoatU.S. Foundation. The deadline for applications is April 16th.
- Can’t get enough boating news? Subscribe to our blog’s RSS feed, follow us on Twitter or look for “Boating Industry” on Facebook and LinkedIn.
- For more of the latest news, click here.
