12 • 31 • 2019
Butts off Miami Beach
Cigarette butts are one of the most prolific types of litter found on Miami Beach. Unfortunately, the Florida Legislature has prohibited local cities and counties from banning smoking on their beaches, parks and playgrounds. To keep butts off their beaches, the Chapter is working with the City of Miami Beach to install 200 cigarette butt canisters throughout the city.
The Miami Chapter is proposing that the City of Miami Beach finance at least 200 cigarette receptacles for distribution throughout Miami Beach. The Chapter has also offered to partner with the City on maintenance of the butt canisters. The Chapter presented their initial proposal to the Miami Beach City Commission Finance Committee in November 2016 and the full City Commission passed their request for a $10,000 grant in 2017.
The Chapter is now working with the City on suggested locations and getting the receptacles installed. Once they are in place, the Chapter is responsible for maintaining and monitoring the canisters for one year.
In 2019, the Chapter had all the receptacles installed and began data collecting on the cannisters use and effectiveness.