The Cigarette Butt Bin Project
In order to decrease the number of butts that end up in our environment, this project focuses on reviving and expanding the use of Cigarette Butt Bins in our cities through community engagement, education of the public, new eye-catching butt bin designs, and more!
Started in Salem, MA in 2014, the Cigarette Butt Bin Project aims to reduce the number of cigarette butts that end up on our streets and eventually in our ocean. Bins are currently strategically placed in areas with heavy foot traffic in Downtown Salem, and coming soon in Downtown Lynn. Businesses and/or residents can support the project by asking to install and/or sponsor bins. We are actively working on strategies to ensure the program is running efficiently and is accessible to as many people as possible–whether that may be through better bin placement, project promotion, education on the impact of cigarette litter, etc.
When the Talking Trash Interns picked up this project in the fall of 2020, there were around 50 existing butt bins throughout downtown Salem. However, many of the stickers were gone or peeling and they were no longer being noticed by the pedestrian smoker. This spring we designed a new, more eye-catching butt receptacle and replaced all of the stickers on the existing bins. The new bins will be installed throughout downtown Lynn this fall.
In the spring of 2022, new butt bins were installed in downtown Lynn and downtown Salem.
Let us know if you are interested in having a cigarette butt bin installed outside of your favorite local business!
The Impact of Cigarette Litter
Source: Keep Blount Beautiful
Source: Waste Management Australia
Source: Audubon
Source: Waste Management Australia
Every year, 4.5 trillion cigarette butts pollute our global environment (earthday.org). For years, cigarette butts have been found at the top of the list for most littered items in our oceans, rivers, beaches, and streets. While they are commonly mistaken to be only paper, cotton, and tobacco, cigarette butts are actually made up of a man-made plastic fiber called cellulose acetate. Having cigarette bins in place provides the general public with an easy way to help their environment and decreases the overall number that ends up in our waterways and streets.
Do you want to adopt a butt bin?
Installing a new bin is $50 each. Adopting an already existing bin is completely free!
Bin installed in 2014, in need of repair
Butt Bin Makeover 2021
Butt Bin Makeover 2021
New sticker designs 2021
New sticker designs 2021
New PVC butt bin design
Sponsor Responsibilities
Sponsors may commit to all responsibilities or select which they are comfortable doing.
Some Important Documents:
Donate now to be recognized on this page!
Sponsors
All Souls Lounge
Walyos Variety
Keith Patterson
Cataldo Ambulance Service Inc.
Sustainable Marblehead
Keep Salem Beautiful – Janelle Rolke
Allies
Lynn Public Health Director- Michele Desmarais
Lynn DPW Commissioner- Lisa Nerich
Salem DPW Operations Manager- Ray Jodoin
Salem DPW Management Analyst – Shaun Santos
Sustainable Marblehead
Salem Waste Reduction Coordinator – Micaela Gugliemi
Friends of Lynn and Nahant Beaches
Keep Salem Beautiful – Janelle Rolke