TerraCycle, the world’s leader in the collection and repurposing of complex waste streams, has joined forces with Keep Liberty Beautiful (KLB), a Keep America Beautiful affiliate, to collect and recycle cigarette butts throughout Liberty County and Fort Stewart. 

“Because cigarette butts are so small, some people do not think they are littering,” said KLB Executive Director Karen Bell. “By working with volunteers throughout Liberty County to conduct cleanups and recycle the cigarette butts it brings awareness to the cigarette litter prevention program.” She also said, “We will 50 cigarette receptacles that Liberty County businesses, parks, restaurants, and bars can have for free!  We will have volunteers that will empty the receptacles and ship them off to be recycled.”

Through this program, KLB is not only addressing the nation’s most commonly littered item but also a form of unbiodegradable plastic waste. Since implementing cigarette receptacles in 2014, Keep Liberty Beautiful has raised awareness and furthered their goal of achieving cigarette litter reduction throughout Liberty County and Fort Stewart. 

KLB has placed cigarette receptacles in a variety of locations throughout the county including but not limited to: three in Riceboro Creek, one in the Midway Community Complex, one in Half Moon Marina and six at bus stops along General Screven Way. KLB currently maintains a total of thirteen cigarette receptacles throughout the county and ships all collected waste to TerraCycle for recycling.  

When processed, the paper and tobacco is separated from the filter and composted. The filter is recycled into plastic pellets which can be used by manufacturers to make a number of products such as shipping pallets, ashtrays and park benches.

“These receptacles will help keep Liberty County free of one of the most littered items on the planet,” said Tom Szaky, founder and CEO of TerraCycle. “With this program, KLB is taking a step to reduce the amount of trash going to landfill while also preserving the area’s natural beauty.”

TerraCycle has collected hundreds of millions of cigarette butts globally. Additionally, through its various recycling programs, it has engaged over 100 million people across 21 countries to collect and recycle more than four billion pieces of waste that were otherwise non-recyclable.