Over 100 volunteers showed up for “Clean Green Main Street” last month. Armed with collection bags and clipboards with checklists, they tabulated every piece of litter they collected.
Over 5000 pieces of litter were picked up. About one-third of this was food related－cups, napkins, utensils, containers, etc.－and nearly half was cigarette butts. This data tells us that the trash is simply not ending up in the bin.
Residents Forward has identified four key factors contributing to Port Washington’s litter problem. There are not enough receptacles, no place for cigarette butts, containment challenges which causes trash to become litter and the need to improve our street sweeping schedule.
Residents Forward started meeting with the Town of North Hempstead and the Greater Port Washington Business Improvement District in recent months to address these issues and will keep the community updated.
At “Clean Green Main Street,” Residents Forward announced a cigarette recycling pilot, the newest initiative of the Residents Forward “Give a Litter Bit” campaign. Residents Forward is partnering with TerraCycle along with the Town of North Hempstead and the Greater Port Washington Business Improvement District to hang cigarette receptacles in key problem areas. The detailed data gathered by the volunteers was invaluable in determining the most optimal locations for the receptacles. A team from Spectrum Designs will empty them and then TerraCycle will separate them, melt them into hard plastic and remold them for use in new products like shipping pallets. It is hoped the “Give a Litter Bit” cigarette recycling pilot spreads awareness that cigarette butts are litter too.
“But there is more to do, and we need your help,” stated Betsy Liegey, executive vice president of Residents Forward. “Our data shows people are littering, and as a community, we need to talk about it. We ask you to have a conversation with your children, friends and neighbors. Let’s all work together to take care of the place we love and call home.”
