Cigarette butts targeted

Smokers have a convenient new way to dispose of their cigarette butts at public events in Salem and Beverly under a new initiative. An ad hoc committee comprised of officials and environmental advocates from the two cities recently acquired 20 cigarette butt receptacles that it is making available for borrowing at no charge for public events in Salem and Beverly.

The committee, Citizens for Salem/Beverly Water Resources, purchased the receptacles as part of a $1,500 grant it received earlier this year from the Vermont-based New England Grassroots Fund to acquire equipment that can protect water resources and reduce waste. Committee members note that cigarette butts are made of cellulose acetate that is non biodegradable and are the most littered item in the world.

The new receptacles have already collected more than 500 cigarette butts at several events over the last few weeks, including the Salem Jazz and Soul Festival held at Salem Willows Park, according to Jason Silva, chief of staff to Salem Mayor Kimberley L. Driscoll. The committee estimates the receptacles have the potential to collect more than 20,000 cigarette butts each year.