The national non-profit Keep America Beautiful® recently awarded a $10,000 grant for the 2023 Cigarette Litter Prevention Program (CLPP) to Keep Alachua County Beautiful.

The grant will go toward tackling cigarette little within Alachua County and Gainesville. The funds will be used to maintain receptacles, replace damaged receptacles and install new receptacles. The new receptacles were installed in June on Main Street between SW 1^st Avenue and NW 1^st Avenue.

“We’re trying to encourage people to take a small step to make a big difference,” said Gina Hawkins, executive director of Keep Alachua County Beautiful, in a press release.

According to a press release, “Keep America Beautiful® offered merit-based grants totaling nearly $400,000 to various organizations across the nation, including Keep Alachua County Beautiful. These grants were specifically bestowed upon community-based KAB affiliates, local governments, business improvement districts, downtown associations, parks and recreation commissions, and other organizations committed to eliminating litter and enhancing the aesthetic appeal of their communities.”

The CLPP was established in 2002 and has become the nation’s largest program dedicated to eliminating cigarette butt and cigar tip litter. More than 1,850 communities nationwide have successfully implemented the program, consistently achieving a 50% reduction in litter within the first six months.

On June 30, Keep Alachua County Beautiful installed in downtown Gainesville seven new cigarette collection receptacles that are near crosswalks along Main Street between North and South 1st Avenues.

According to a Keep America Beautiful®, a 2020 National Litter Study revealed cigarette butts are the most littered item in America. “The Cigarette Litter Prevention Program raises awareness, changes behaviors and promotes responsible disposal practices,” said Becky Lyons, chief operating officer of Keep America Beautiful®, in a press release. “It is making a tangible difference in reducing cigarette litter and fostering a cleaner environment.”