Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - The Allentown Association's war on discarded cigarette butts along Allen Street has a new weapon, and, according to early returns, it is working.
The association, leveraging a $10,000 "Keep America Beautiful" grant has installed 48 cigarette but receptacles between Wadsworth Street and Main Street.
Some two years in the making, the initiative is designed to encourage smokers to put their discarded butts into the receptacles instead of just tossing them on the sidewalks and streets. It is the latest project undertaken by the Allentown Association to help with its image and encourage more people visit one of its diverse range of busineeses.
"Cigarette butts was a big issue," said Patty Mcdonald, Allentown Association beautification committee chairperson. "I don't people realized what a problem it has become."
Allentown Association is the city's first business or neighborhood group to tap into the "Keep America Beautiful" grant program.
"I hope this becomes a template that others follow," said Fillmore District Councilman Mitch Nowakowski.
Installed late last week, the receptacles are located on light poles and other informational poles along Allen Street.
Each of the 48 receptacles has a sealed pouch where cigarette, cigars and, even cannabis joints can be place. Volunteers will collect the pouches and send them out to be recycled.
"This is the perfect way to solve a problem and also help the environment," Mcdonald said.
Allentiown Association installs 48 cigarette receptacles along Allen Street and it is working
Allentiown Association installs 48 cigarette receptacles along Allen Street and it is working
