Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful partnered with the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission to implement the Cigarette Litter Prevention Program at 17 service plazas across the state with a $20,000 grant received from Keep America Beautiful.

The program began with a scan, or physical count, of cigarette butts and other tobacco related products littering each service plaza. Seventy ash receptacles were installed at the entrances to buildings and other transition points. Two additional scans were performed, with a final reduction rate of 43% after implementing the program for 8 months.

Educational messaging about the consequences of cigarette and other tobacco related litter was displayed at the participating service plazas.

“We are thankful for our partnership with Keep PA Beautiful and eager to see the results that are already occurring at our service plazas along the Pennsylvania Turnpike,” said Keith Jack, Director of Facilities Operations and co-chair of the Turnpike’s Sustainability Committee.

“We look forward to continuing to raise awareness of the environmental impact from cigarette butt litter through educating the 550,000 daily users across our system. We will continue to help others understand their individual responsibility for proper waste disposal, including properly disposing of their cigarette butts, and the impact that can have on their community.”

The program partners with TerraCycle to recycle collected cigarette butts, turning waste into reusable materials. The filters are melted into hard plastic that can be remolded to make new recycled industrial products, such as plastic pallets. The residual tobacco and paper are separated out and composted in a specialized process.

“Providing ash receptacles and educating the public are effective strategies to combat the most common type of litter. We are proud to collaborate with the PA Turnpike Commission to reduce cigarette butts and tobacco product litter by 43% at these 17 service plazas. The program significantly reduces the amount of cigarette litter in public spaces, increases awareness of proper disposal and improves disposal habits. These efforts help save costs associated with maintenance of public areas,” said Shannon Reiter, President, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful.