Earlier this spring, The City performed its first litter count along 100 block faces throughout the Centre City to better understand just how clean (or not) downtown streets and alleys really are. The results revealed that the #1 most commonly found form of litter was cigarette butts.
As a solution, The City and partnering Business Revitalization Zones (BRZs) decided to place small litter bins in high traffic areas to improve the appearance of these areas.
Starting tomorrow, 30 small litter bins (for cigarette butts, gum and small litter) are being placed in areas like the Municipal Plaza, James Short Park, Victoria Crossing, along 17th Ave and elsewhere.
A similar program piloted in Edmonton along Whyte Ave. has experienced great success in improving the cleanliness of the area and is currently expanding.
“Litter such as cigarette butts and gum, were found to be the #1 source of litter in the Centre City”, explains Clean to the Core Project Manager Lorna Wallace. “If not tended to it not only looks poor, but if washed down the storm drain, the butts end up directly in the Bow River. We want to encourage Calgarians to think twice before tossing a cigarette butt or a piece of gum on the street”. Downtown Ward Alderman Druh Farrell has remarked that she has observed countless cigarette butts floating in the Bow River.
The hope is that The City’s ongoing efforts to improve the cleanliness of our streets, through the Clean to the Core program, will also encourage businesses to become great neighbours by diligently cleaning the areas around their buildings and install permanent or temporary small litter bins to help improve the appearance of the whole Centre City.
GREAT idea!!
Posted by: Rion Sillito | Friday, July 17, 2009 at 02:15 PM