Salem to Add 50 New Cigarette "Butt Bins"

SALEM, MA—In an effort to clean the city of cigarette butts, the city will deploy 50 large-capacity "butt bins" at various locations, according to an announcement Monday.

The City announced that the bins will be added to the additional "butt bins" already present in the downtown area, as apart of Salem's "Park Your Butts Here" campaign. SalemRecycles and the Salem Department of Public Works have identified new areas for placement; such as parks and restaurants outside of downtown.

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“As a coastal city, Salem is particularly vulnerable to water pollution due to improperly disposed of cigarette butts. Cigarette butts flicked onto sidewalks and streets are washed into storm drains and carried right into the water. The cottony looking filter is actually made from plastic resins that do not biodegrade. They foul our water and harm marine life and birds,” stated Susan Yochelson, a member of SalemRecycles and Outreach Coordinator for Salem Sound Coastwatch, in the announcement.

Salem kicked off the campaign in September of 2015, placing bins around downtown with yellow decals. The butt bins are later emptied and sent to New Jersey based Terra Cycle, where they are recycled into plastic goods.

“I am glad to see this program expanding,” said Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll in a statement. “We are constantly working to help keep Salem clean and cigarette waste is one of the most common and frustrating sources of litter. The new recycling receptacles and their larger distribution to high volume areas will be another good step in keeping our community clean, healthy, and inviting.”

Remaining tobacco is repurposed via tobacco-specific posting methods. Additionally, $2 will be donated to Salem Main Streets for every pound of cigarette waste collected.