Cigarette Butt Litter Campaign in Greenbrier Area of Chesapeake

Keep America Beautiful, Inc. (KAB) has awarded a $3,000 grant to the City of Chesapeake to implement a cigarette butt litter prevention campaign in the Greenbrier area. KAB has also given the city 700 portable ashtrays for distribution—300 car ashtrays and 400 pocket ashtrays.

Campaign Description.  The campaign included a scan (count) and cleanup of cigarette butts in the targeted area, implementation of a public awareness campaign, and a scan (count) and cleanup of cigarette butts at the end of the campaign. The goal was to have fewer cigarette butts at the end of the campaign.

Initial Scan.  On August 16, the Sheriff’s weekender inmates counted almost 3,000 butts in the targeted area. 

Timetable.  The campaign began in August with a scan (count) of cigarette butts in the area. The final scan (count) of cigarette butts took place in mid-October.

Free Portable Ashtrays. Free portable ashtrays are available at the Greenbrier Library, located at 1214 Volvo Parkway.  Businesses and organizations in the Greenbrier area are being recruited to serve as additional give-a-way locations. For a list of additional locations, call 382-CITY.

Ash Receptacles. Locations for ash receptacles in the Greenbrier area are being sought. Grant funds will be used to pay for the receptacles on a first-come, first-serve basis while funds are available.  Businesses and organizations who receive the receptacles must agree to service the receptacles after receiving them.

Signs. Signs were erected along Greenbrier Parkway with a Don’t Litter Cigarette Butts message and information about fines for littering, Maximum Fine $2,500 – One Year in Jail.

Banners. Banners will be installed at several Greenbrier locations that depict the new signs and include the message FREE Portable Ashtrays – 382-CITY.

Police Presence. Police will have an increased presence in the Greenbrier area during the campaign.

The campaign is being coordinated by the Chesapeake Environmental Improvement Council (CEIC) and is supported by the following City departments:  Call Center, City Attorney’s Office, Economic Development, General Services, Libraries and Research Services, Parks and Recreation, Police, Public Communications, Public Works, and Sheriff’s Office.

For more information, contact the Special Programs Office at the Chesapeake Parks and Recreation Department at 382-6411 or 382-CITY.