No Butts in Chinatown

No Butts in Chinatown

PCDC’s Cigarette butt-free pilot program started in June with the installation of four cigarette butt boxes in Chinatown.

The installation of these boxes was the culmination of a community coming together to solve a problem. Starting PCDC’s $1-a-Day cleaning crew identified cigarette butts as a constant source of litter. This led to the formation of a neighborhood youth-led initiative, with students from Central and Masterman high schools to survey, observe, and deliver solutions. With technical support and funding from Keep Philadelphia Beautiful, the initiative decided that cigarette boxes would be the best solution. Phase 2 included a youth and senior citizen box design competition and the identification of  locations for the pilot installation.

Cigarettes butts result in unnecessary litter. Philadelphia is considered to one of highest rate of smokers among the 30 largest cities. Today we have a community led solution that will hopefully reduce litter. Stay tuned to hear if smokers are using the boxes.