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A Cleaner Vista with New “Famously Hot” Ashtrays

Submitted by: Rachael Renken on Aug 30, 2010 at 2:41 pm Tagged with: cigarette butts, Congaree Vista Guild, Keep America Beautiful, Keep the Midlands Beautiful, litter prevention Source: Congaree Vista Guild

The Congaree Vista Guild will be rolling out an initiative to curb cigarette butt litter with eye-catching ashtrays for the “Put Your Famously Hot Butt Right Here” campaign. Vista Guild Treasurer Brittney Martin won the grant from Keep America Beautiful. With additional funding from Councilman Daniel Rickenmann and the Congaree Vista Guild, and creative expertise donated by Post No Bills, 10 prototype ashtrays have been conveniently placed around the Vista for patrons to do their part in keeping the city clean. Businesses will be able to order similar receptacles from the Vista Guild or Keep the Midlands Beautiful.

Since Columbia’s bars and restaurants went smoke-free in 2008, Vista visitors have been going outdoors to smoke, often leaving their cigarette butts on the sidewalks. What may seem like a harmless but dirty act actually has a lasting impact on the city’s arts and entertainment district.

Cigarette butts are the most-littered item in America, representing nearly 30 percent of all items documented in nationwide clean-up initiatives, says Heidi Johnson, Executive Director of Keep the Midlands Beautiful. "Keep America Beautiful’s cigarette litter prevention program has been proven effective. Simple actions such as installing ash receptacles and distributing pocket ashtrays have made a big difference in decreasing litter and ultimately keeping communities beautiful. By raising awareness, we expect similar reductions here in Columbia."

The Vista Guild launched a recycling program last year that facilitates recycling efforts for Vista businesses. “Smart Businesses Recycle” has been a popular initiative with more Vista shops, businesses and restaurants continuing to take part. The Vista Guild strives to be the greenest neighborhood in Columbia, and the cigarette butt campaign has business owners excited about taking the next step toward a cleaner community.

"I want my workplace and the areas around it to be clean and free of litter,” said Martin, manager of RBC Bank’s Vista branch. “One way to start is to banish cigarette butts by creating awareness through innovation and creativity."

The campaign reinforces the Visitor’s Bureau’s “Famously Hot” city slogan with colorful and creative ashtrays and posters. Look for the posters in Vista restaurants and the ashtrays near Wet Willies, Logan Raye and other Vista favorites.

For more information on the “Put Your Famously Hot Butt Right Here” campaign or to arrange interviews, call Riley Communications at 803.227.0914 or e-mail kwalker@RileyCommunications.com.