About Cigarette Litter
Every day thousands of cigarette butts are carelessly tossed onto city streets, sidewalks, and green spaces in Edmonton.
The background information below explains details about the problem and City programs aimed at reducing cigarette litter.
The Research
The City retained MGM Management to conduct a litter audit in Edmonton in 2007. One hundred and six sites throughout the City were audited between May 28 and June 6, 2007. Cigarette butts comprised 35% of all the small litter. 7.4% of all large litter was tobacco product related.
Small litter refers to debris less than 10 cm2 in size.
Large litter includes pop cans and bottles, food wrappers, and cardboard boxes.
Budgets and Pilot Programs
Council approved funding for ashtrays on Whyte Avenue in the 2008 budget. The City installed these in December 2008.
The Whyte Avenue pilot started in January 2009.
In January 2009, City Council directed Administration to design and implement a strategy to reduce cigarette litter on Jasper Avenue.
Jasper Avenue pilot ran from July 9, 2009 to the end of August 2009 (six weeks).
Health Canada, the Downtown Business Association, and the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) have partnered with the City to do the Jasper Avenue pilot.
The Old Strathcona Business Association has partnered with Responsible Hospitality Edmonton on the Whyte Avenue pilot.
The pilots include street ashtrays, a print and radio public education campaign, and the distribution of personal pocket ashtrays.
122 street ashtrays (23 freestanding and 99 pole mounted units) have been installed on Jasper Avenue, between 97 Street and 109 Street, both the north and south sides.
70 street ashtrays have been installed along Whyte Avenue from 99 Street to 109 Street.
On-site audits and targeted surveys measured the pilots’ success. By the end of the project, the number of cigarette butts in the three benchmark areas had been reduced by as much as 87%.
The fine for littering is $250.
Advocates
Capital City Clean Up is a year-round litter and graffiti management program focusing on enhanced civic service levels, community engagement, public education, and enforcement.
Responsible Hospitality Edmonton is a community-wide, multi-disciplined initiative established by the City of Edmonton to better plan, manage and police hospitality zones and licensed venues in the city.
For more information:
Capital City Clean Up
City of Edmonton
Beaufort Building
2nd Fl, 10835 – 120 Street
Edmonton, AB T5H 3P9
If you need high quality images of any of our posters, contact our office.
| Telephone | For Capital City Clean Up program inquiries, call 780-944-5470 To report graffiti, litter, or discarded needles dial 311 (or 780-442-5311) |
|---|---|
| Fax | 780-498-7098 |
| capitalcitycleanup@edmonton.ca |
