Wisconsin is now 100% smoke-free.  In light of the change in legislation, Milwaukee Downtown, BID #21 and Keep Greater Milwaukee Beautiful are partaking in a national program, the Keep America Beautiful® Cigarette Litter Prevention Program, to reduce the impact of cigarette butt litter in downtown Milwaukee.

Cigarette butts are the most-littered item in America, representing nearly 35 percent of all items documented in nationwide clean-up initiatives.  Milwaukee Downtown, BID #21 and Keep Greater Milwaukee Beautiful are working to educate smokers to take responsibility for their butts.  

Like the Keep America Beautiful prevention program, four proven approaches have been integrated into the local campaign:  encourage enforcement of litter laws that include cigarette litter; raise awareness about the issue using public service messages; assess the number of ash receptacles at transition points such as entrances to public buildings; and distribute pocket ashtrays to adult smokers.  In 2008, nearly 200 communities reported an average 46% reduction in littered butts as a result of implementing the program.

The following tools are available for you to educate your customers, tenants and employees.  Pocket ashtrays are also available by calling Milwaukee Downtown at 414.220.4700 or Keep Greater Milwaukee Beautiful at 414.272.5462.

Business Communications Sheet

Bar Tips Sheet

Cigarette Butt Litter Prevention Press Release

Examples of Ash Tray Receptacles for Purchase