Hold On To Your Butt!

A new (kind of) culprit in town!

2011-09-08T07:23:00.000-07:00

Anyone notice more and more of these gnarly cigarette filters littering our great outdoors?

We do!

And it's quite sad, disgusting, and takes cigarette filters to a whole other level!

The volume and weight of one of these PLASTIC filters has got to have the equivalent of a bottled water cap or 50+ standard plastic fibrous filters we all know all too well.

I tried to get a comment from Middleton who manufactures them (An Altria/Philip Morris Co.) but they unsurprisingly declined! They too have absolutely no program in place to address this litter.

As if I wasn't already extremely disturbed with the irresponsibility of smokers who litter, this litter probably won't ever break down/biodegrade.

The photo shows how many of these NEW filters were part of a 4,875 batch of butts that Sophia & Alyson hand collected from the Mission Beach area.

Like all nonprofits, we need your "time" or "money" (or both).

Awesome Surf's Up Challenge: http://www.ripplelife.org/surfsup.php

Saturday Sept 24th volunteering: http://www.ripplelife.org/butts/

Create a Ripple (it's free) which can support Surfrider: http://www.ripplelife.org/curtis

Join our social networks.

Cheers,

Curtis

www.RippleLife.org

Bye Bye Butts

Bye Bye Butts - Surf's Up Challenge!

2011-06-28T11:28:00.000-07:00

We've got a cool idea on how to spread awareness of how abundant cigarette butt litter is. We need your help to collect 150,000 littered cigarette butts! To make this a sweet deal, a brand new custom surfboard built just for you is up for grabs!

Like the idea? Lots of spots still open!

More info HERE

HOTYB Awareness Day

2011-06-24T17:44:00.000-07:00

Hold On To Your Butt Awareness Day coming August 13 - Get Ready! More info to come in the next month!

Moonlight Beach cleanup more butts collected!

2011-06-21T20:27:00.000-07:00

On June 18th, volunteers picked up 228 butts at Moonlight Beach. Thank you clean up crew:)

Hotline calls for May 2011

2011-06-04T11:47:00.000-07:00

In May 2011, 174 calls were reported on the HOTYB hotline. Thank you callers for your ongoing reports!

Moonlight Beach cleanup more butts collected!

2011-05-23T18:03:00.000-07:00

On May 21, 2011 volunteers cleaned up 288 butts at Moonlight Beach. Many thanks to the volunteers for keeping our beautiful beaches clean!

Pacific Beach Cleanup

2011-05-07T10:51:00.000-07:00

We had a special beach cleanup on Friday, May 6, and 1075 butts were collected in PB. Thank you volunteers!

April calls on the hotline

2011-05-07T10:48:00.000-07:00

Thanks to the concerned citizens for calling into the HOTYB hotline in April 2011. We had 213 calls about this ongoing issue!

smoking banned in NYC parks

2011-05-06T06:27:00.000-07:00

interesting article re banning smoking in NYC parks - http://community.nytimes.com/comments/www.nytimes.com/2011/05/06/opinion/06siegel.html

the author says that the ban was put in place because of 2nd hand smoke, not litter...although we all know that the litter is as if not more serious (and less controversial!)

Mission Bay butts collected

2011-05-04T18:16:00.000-07:00

Thanks to the volunteers on 4/30/11 for cleaning up 3,960 cigarette butts at Mission Beach! And to the clean up coordinators for counting this data.

Moonlight Beach cleanup more butts collected!

2011-04-23T08:02:00.000-07:00

On Sat, 4/16/11, the beach cleanup volunteers collected 340 butts at Moonlight Beach. Thanks to the folks that continue to help keep our beaches clean!

Butt Really?

2011-04-23T07:55:00.000-07:00

Check out Legacy Foundation's catchy (tune and message) - http://www.legacyforhealth.org/4307.aspx regarding cig butt litter. You'll be singing along and noticing those butt litterers in no time!

CHP Enforcing Cig Butt Litterers!

2011-04-17T22:25:00.000-07:00

We recently received some statistics from CHP for the enforcement of Vehicle Code 23111 which states...

"No person in any vehicle and no pedestrian shall throw or discharge from or upon any road or highway or adjoining area, public or private, any lighted or nonlighted cigarette, cigar, match, or any flaming or glowing substance."

In San Diego County in 2010, 320 people were cited for this offense by CHP. In 2009, 357 people were cited.

We all know there are a lot more people out there committing this offense. Please continue to use the hotline (877-211-2888) and let us know if you'd like to get more involved.

8 New Ashcans Installed in Pacific Beach!!!

2011-04-17T22:20:00.000-07:00

Eight new ashcans, from the 1400 block of Garnet to the corner of Garnet and the Boardwalk, were installed in Pacific Beach on Saturday, April 16th. Felipe Irony, with Surfrider, and Nick Gatelein, with ILACSD, joined efforts in helping keep our streets, beaches and oceans clean!!

More butts collected at beach cleanups!

2011-04-16T13:24:00.000-07:00

On Sat, 4/9/11, 262 people cleaned up 1403 cigarette butts at Sunset Cliffs. Also on 4/10/11, 32 people clean up 816 butts in Mission Beach. Thank you volunteers!!

Coronado Beach Cleanup

2011-04-09T13:50:00.000-07:00

On 3/26/11 volunteers picked up 2,047 cigarette butts in Coronado. Thank you for keeping our beaches clean:)

March 2011 HOTYB hotline calls

2011-04-02T12:51:00.001-07:00

Thank you callers...for 244 calls on the HOTYB hotline this past month! We appreciate your continued concern on this issue.

March 19, 2011 Moonlight Beach Cleanup

2011-03-25T06:23:00.000-07:00

Last weekend volunteers cleaned up 2,820 cigarette butts! Thank you volunteers:)

Oceanside beach cleanup efforts!

2011-03-19T15:58:00.000-07:00

On Sat, 3/12/11, the beach cleanup crew in Oceanside collected 8799 butts! Wow what an ongoing issue!!

10 New Ashcans Installed in Hillcrest!!

2011-03-14T09:09:00.001-07:00

Thank you to Benjamin Nicholls, the Hillcrest Business Improvement Association and local businesses for their sponsorship and support in helping keep our streets clean of cigarette butt litter!!

Like the idea of cigarette butts having a redemption value?

2011-03-13T11:57:00.000-07:00

Hi.

If you think that cigarette butts having a value to them (and recycling) can help increase their disappearance, then please vote for this daily through March 27th! It's a Green Award worth $25,000 and would really enhance our Cigarette Butt Redemption & Recycling program based here in San Diego (and partnered with Surfrider Foundation)

Read more here: http://www.ripplelife.org/butts

VOTE HERE!

Thanks everyone!

Feb 2011 HOTYB hotline calls

2011-03-05T12:38:00.000-08:00

This Feb we had 214 calls on our hotline regarding butt flicking incidents....thanks to the concerned citizens calling in!

Raising awareness thru the local Union Tribune newspaper

2011-03-03T07:56:00.000-08:00

The HOTYB group was published in the local San Diego Union Tribune newspaper, raising awareness to a broader audience, and getting the word out about the cigarette waste issue. View the newspaper article here. Many thanks to Nathan Max at the Union-Tribune.

Two New Ashcans at P.B. Shore Club!!!

2011-03-02T10:46:00.000-08:00

Thank you to Billy, Doug & the Pacific Beach Shore Club for their sponsorship donation for two new ash cans!! Thank you for helping keep our streets and beaches clean of cigarette butt litter!!!

New ashcan at Blind Lady Ale House!

2011-03-02T10:37:00.000-08:00

Thank you to Jeff Motch & Blind Lady Ale House for
helping keep our streets clean of cigarette butt litter!!

Redemption & Recycling of Cigarette Butts?

2011-02-27T09:03:00.001-08:00

Hey everyone!

RippleLife's grassroots project offers the first ever Butt Redemption Value (BRV) to incentivize the collection of cigarette butts the same way bottles, cans, and other recyclables are. It's a chance for outdoor lovers to get their hands dirty with us to clean up our big blue playground, stop the damage cigarette butts inflict upon our eco-systems, and give these plastic filters a better second life.

Our project goals are to realize a cleaner and safer outdoors, reduce landfill waste, and recycle these plastic filters --today-- not when cities, states, federal government, and Tobacco companies finally figure out a solution to this ugly problem. Since an outright global ban of cigarette filters is highly unlikely, our 'education and prevention -partners- with collection and repurposing' approach is a crazy yet brilliant idea. The overwhelming feedback? "This is the next evolutionary step... great job!"

RippleLife's initial BRV will start at USD $3.00 per pound and offers recyclers another opportunity to make a difference. Don't care about the BRV? Just tell us you'd like to donate your proceeds to this project or choose from 20 of our other approved outdoor causes like Surfrider Foundation, The Ocean Conservancy, and Leave No Trace. You'll receive a 100% tax-deductible receipt and your donation will be added to your Ripple if you have one. Oh... and the places you love will shine a bit brighter!

We're happy to be working with Surfrider Foundation on this issue!

Don't just "Hold on to your butt".... bring them to one of our collection events! The next one is Saturday March 19th in Pacific Beach! More info here: http://www.ripplelife.org/butts

Like the idea? Help us out too :)

~ Cheers, Curtis

More butts collected at beach cleanups!

2011-02-26T15:09:00.000-08:00

On Feb 19, 2011 at the Moonlight Beach cleanup, 33 volunteers picked up 1025 cigarette butts--wow thanks for keeping our beaches clean:)

Cigarette butts collected from beach cleanups in 2011...

2011-02-20T16:07:00.000-08:00

On Feb 12, 2011 volunteers at the South Carlsbad beach cleanup collected 405 butts! Many thanks to the cleanup leaders and volunteers for their efforts as we try to reduce this littered item on our beaches.

40,000 butts collected from SD beaches in 2010

2011-02-09T08:53:00.000-08:00

Surfrider Foundation, San Diego Chapter partners with "San Diego Coastkeeper" for twice-monthly beach cleanups. In 2010, out of the total number of items found, 26% was cigarette butts. Smoking is illegal on San Diego beaches. You can view San Diego Coastkeeper's data here.
Do you part by volunteering for a beach cleanup or for HOTYB.

Surfrider ashcans in Pacific Beach!

2011-02-03T09:40:00.000-08:00

HOTYB committee member Brian Austin (left) met with Pacific Beach community leader Andy Henshaw of "Discover PB" to help eliminate cigarette waste along Garnet Avenue and surrounding areas. Brian and Andy located 27 currently installed ashcans, and identified 10 other areas that need ashcans in busy sections of PB near bars & restaurants.

"Hold on to your butt" high school outreach

2011-01-20T13:49:00.000-08:00

The "Hold on to your butt" committee (HOTYB) is looking for high school principals, administrators, and teachers who would like a HOTYB demonstration in their high school classroom. Students will learn the chemical and environmental dangers of cigarette butt waste, and the value and reward of volunteering, among other topics in this very relevant presentation.

For info or to schedule a high school presentation, contact Brian at austin@surfriderSD.org

Ashcan Installation in La Jolla!

2010-10-08T14:19:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday Surfrider teamed up with the La Jolla Town Council Nell Carpenter Beautification/Streetscape Committee and I Love A Clean San Diego to install the first set of ten strategic ashcans.

Cigarette butts continue to plague San Diego as the most common litter item found each year by local environmental organizations. Recent smoking bans at beaches and parks have a positive impact but volunteers still find plenty of cigarette litter on local streets and alleyways. I Love A Clean San Diego and the Surfrider Foundation’s San Diego Chapter are taking a proactive approach to prevent this eyesore and environmental hazard.

Many thanks to Manase, Roger, Ken, Natalie, Ester, Samantha and everyone else that came out to help!

Click Here for more photos

SurfriderSD HOTYB Committee Telecon, June 7th, 6pm

2010-05-04T15:02:00.000-07:00

To join the telecon, dial (507) 726-4200. The access code is 103015#.

For more info, you can e-mail hotyb@surfridersd.org.

HOTYB!

SurfriderSD HOTYB Committee Meeting, July 7th, 6:30pm

2010-05-04T14:56:00.000-07:00

In addition to the August 4th meeting, there will be a meeting on July 7th.

The Hold On To Your Butt committee is looking for volunteers who would also like to make an impact and reduce cigarette waste in the environment and oceans.

The meeting is at La Jolla Brewhouse, 7536 Fay Ave. in La Jolla, July 7th, 2010, starting at 6:30pm.

For more info, you can e-mail hotyb@surfridersd.org. See you there!

Update! SurfriderSD HOTYB Committee Meeting changed to August 4th, at 6:30pm

2010-05-04T14:54:00.000-07:00

The Hold on to your butt (HOTYB) committee meeting has been changed from June 23rd to August 4th.

The Hold On To Your Butt committee is looking for volunteers who would also like to make an impact and reduce cigarette waste in the environment and oceans.

The meeting is at La Jolla Brewhouse, 7536 Fay Ave. in La Jolla, August 4th, 2010, starting at 6:30pm.

For more info, you can e-mail hotyb@surfridersd.org. See you there!

San Diego State Univ (SDSU): Over 23,000 butts in one hour!

2010-04-26T11:41:00.000-07:00

On April 17th, 2010, 62 volunteers found--
in ONE day,
in ONE hour,
in ONE square mile,
23,885 butts!

...on the SDSU campus.

WHAT TO DO?
- STOP SMOKING!!
- Advocate for a smoke-free SDSU campus.
- Hold on to your butts!
- Politely remind smokers not to toss their butts into the environment

SurfriderSD HOTYB Committee Telecon, May 3rd, 6pm

2010-04-26T09:04:00.000-07:00

The Hold On To Your Butt committee is looking for volunteers who would also like to make an impact and reduce cigarette waste in the environment and oceans.

To join the telecon, dial (507) 726-4200. The access code is 103015#.

For more info, you can e-mail hotyb@surfridersd.org.

HOTYB!

SurfriderSD HOTYB Committee Meeting, June 23rd, 6:30pm

2010-04-26T08:56:00.000-07:00

The Hold On To Your Butt committee is looking for volunteers who would also like to make an impact and reduce cigarette waste in the environment and oceans.

The meeting is at La Jolla Brewhouse, 7536 Fay Ave. in La Jolla, June 23rd, 2010, starting at 6:30pm.

For more info, you can e-mail hotyb@surfridersd.org. See you there!

Do your part to curb cigarette litter!

2010-04-01T08:33:00.000-07:00

Every time heavy rains come, this is what ends up in the ocean. Do your part to reduce or eliminate cigarette litter!

SurfriderSD HOTYB Committee Meeting April 7th, 6:30pm

2010-03-15T14:46:00.000-07:00

Same as the post below, the Hold On To Your Butt committee is looking for volunteers who would also like to make an impact and reduce cigarette waste in the environment and oceans.

The meeting is at the Encinitas Library on April 7th, 2010, starting at 6:30pm.

For more info, you can e-mail hotyb@surfridersd.org. See you there!

SurfriderSD HOTYB Committee Meeting Wednesday 2/24 6:30pm

2010-02-23T16:15:00.000-08:00

Do you hate cigarette butt litter too?

If so, please join us on Wednesday evening for a planning meeting for the 'Hold On To Your Butt' anti-cigarette litter campaign in San Diego. This is a big year with the revival of the butt-flicker hotline (877-211-2888) and more local beach communities looking to expand our outdoor ashcan program. We need to start planning for the annual Hold On To Your Butt Day and maybe you have some ideas to help and ways to spread the message.

2/24 6:30pm at 7590 Fay Ave., 5th Floor Conference Room. Swing on by, the more the merrier. For more info you can email bill@surfriderSD.org

Surfrider partners with CA State Parks in San Diego County

2010-02-21T16:46:00.000-08:00

Shown in the photo, Brian Austin from San Diego Surfrider met with CA State Parks (San Diego County) superintendent Brian Ketterer to discuss methods to reduce cigarette butt pollution, including installation of cylindrical ashcans, and encouraging campers & visitors to "Pack in, Pack out" - bringing all of their trash with them when they leave the beach. The two agencies are working together for cleaner parks, cleaner ocean water, and reduced risk of fires.

Cigarettes are litter too!

2010-02-18T13:48:00.000-08:00

Even in the southern United States, with its long tradition of tobacco farms and higher smoking rate, motorists in New Orleans are becoming increasingly aware of the cigarette litter problem on roads, and the associated water pollution and fire hazards. This photo was taken along a major residential parkway, seen by thousands of motorists per day.

Butt Flicker Hotline Resurrected!

2010-01-20T12:32:00.000-08:00

and to celebrate, we are hosting a prees event on Thursday January 21st at 10am in Mission Beach...

MEDIA ADVISORY:

Surfrider Foundation Partners with CHP; Will Launch Upgraded Cigarette Litter Reporting Hotline at January 21 Press Conference

What: The Surfrider Foundation, San Diego County Chapter, in partnership with the California Highway Patrol (CHP) and Cal Fire, will launch a newly upgraded electronic reporting system of the Cigarette Litter Hotline on January 21 that the public can use to report butts flicked from vehicles,
(877) 211-2888 (BUTT).

The goal of the hotline is to educate the public and change behavior to reduce the amount of cigarette butt litter. Members of the public witnessing cigarette butt littering can call (877) 211-2888 (BUTT) to give information about people seen illegally discarding cigarette butts. People caught littering and reported will not receive a citation, but statistics on the littering will be kept, and litterers caught in the act will receive a CHP-issued warning letter detailing the witnessed action and warning them the dangers of cigarette butt litter, which includes damage to the environment and wildlife as well as the risk of fire.

Who: Surfrider Foundation, San Diego County Chapter in cooperation with the California Highway Patrol and Cal Fire

When: 10 - 10:30 a.m., Thursday, Jan. 21

Where: Community Room at the Wavehouse Athletic Club at Belmont Park in Mission Beach, 3115 Ocean Front Walk (Community Room located to the right of the entrance to The Plunge)

Interview opportunities: CHP Border Division Chief Gary Dominguez, Cal Fire San Diego Unit Chief Howard Windsor, local Surfrider Foundation representatives, local city leaders.

More info: The number of cigarette butts found on beaches is overwhelming -- typically accounting for nearly one in every three items collected during a beach cleanup. An estimated 2 billion cigarette butts are tossed out daily. Some 230,000 butts were collected in one day from California beaches. Butts cast onto the sidewalk and streets eventually end up in storm drains, which flow to streams, rivers, bays, lagoons and ultimately the ocean. When the butts get wet from rain or contact with a body of water, toxins gathered by the filter are released. Littered cigarette butts also are a fire risk and have caused significant forest fires in the past.

Media contacts: Ken David, ken@surfriderSD.org
Manase Mansur, manase@surfriderSD.org

Fish Don't Smoke!

2010-01-13T08:55:00.000-08:00

Humorous reminder to Hold On To Your Butt! Thanks to Ian O'Roarty for producing this great video for the Surfrider Foundation.

Fish Don't Smoke - Surfrider Foundation from Surfrider Foundation San Diego C on Vimeo.

HOTYB Day success!

2009-11-16T13:28:00.000-08:00

Over 80 volunteers showed up on Saturday to help raise awareness about cigarette butt litter. It was a beautiful day and great opportunity to get the message out.

Channel 6 news stopped by the Mission Beach site for a story they ran that night and the following morning. North County times swung by the Cardiff site for a story they ran...

Click Here for the NC Times story.

thanks to the volunteers and activists that helped!

MOMENTUM BUILDING IN FIGHT AGAINST BUTT LITTER

2009-11-12T02:51:00.000-08:00

The San Diego Surfrider Foundation has been leading the way for years combating cigarette waste polluting our waters and beaches, by establishing and pushing the anti-cigarette butt litter campaign, Hold-On-To-Your-Butt. Fighting cigarette waste pollution squarely fits the SF's mission to protect oceans, waves, and beaches.

There is real momentum building as the HOTYB Campaign ramps up public awareness, partners with communities to install ash cans in high foot-traffic areas, provides individual ashtrays to smokers, and expands the SF toll-free Hotline reporting butt-flickers in cooperation with the Calfornia Highway Patrol, 1-877-211-2888 (BUTT). Be ready to report butt-flickers: record 877-211-2888 in your phone and speed dial!

New scientific evidence shows that cigarette butt toxic substances kill marine organisms when leached into water. Common sense tells us the cumulative impact of toxic butt leachets in our waterways and oceans cannot be good. Do we really need proof to know that carcinogenic chemicals flowing down gutters to the oceans are bad for marine life, swimmers and surfers?

Also, cigarette butts can spark wildfires in dry climates like California and destroy lives and homes and cause unquantifiable stress and disruption to individuals, families, and communities. If the HOTYB Campaign and Hotline can prevent just one loss of life or destroyed home, it is all worth the effort.

The good news is that more people understand the problems caused by cigarette waste and view cigarette littering as totally unacceptable behavior. There is also a growing willingness to fight butt litter by forming coalitions among non-profits, the private sector, and municipal governments.

Finally, while we need everyone's active support to stop butt-flickers and eliminate cigarette waste as a significant wildfire and environmental threat, let's remember there is a simple tax-free solution:

Hold-On-To-Your-Butt!

Hold On To Your Butt Day is coming on November 14th!

2009-10-30T15:05:00.000-07:00

The annual Hold On To Your Butt Day hits three locations in San Diego on Saturday November 14th from 10am til noon. CLICK HERE for more details.