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Pilot ash‑can program collected roughly 100,000 cigarette butts and showed ~60% litter reduction in test sites, presenters say
Summary
City and partner agencies reported that a six‑month pilot of 40 cigarette ash receptacles collected about 100,000 butts over 10 months and correlated with roughly a 60% reduction in cigarette‑butt litter in measured locations; departments and Surfrider urged citywide expansion and committed to outreach and relocation plans.
San Francisco officials and volunteer partners reported that a city pilot installing 40 exterior cigarette‑butt receptacles in targeted hot spots collected about 100,000 cigarette butts over 10 months and correlated with an average litter reduction of roughly 60 percent in measured locations.
Sunshine Swinford, lead staffer for the Department of the Environment’s cigarette‑butt pilot, told the Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee the pilot launched in summer and focused on mapped litter hot spots where butts could enter storm drains and the bay. Swinford cited prior city litter studies showing tobacco‑related litter remains the most frequent item collected and described filters as cellulose acetate — a plastic that does not biodegrade and can leach toxic chemicals.
Surfrider Foundation volunteers and Department of Public Works corridor ambassadors supported the program: Surfrider described frequent beach and neighborhood cleanups and led outreach efforts; Public Works said its corridor ambassadors empty cans, log counts, and can relocate underused receptacles. Jeremy Spitz of Public Works said the program helps ambassadors dispose efficiently of hundreds of butts that would otherwise be labor‑intensive to sweep.
Volunteers and local merchants described results: one outreach intern reported a 40% reduction in cigarette litter at a Noriega Avenue bakery hotspot after month‑long engagement; a Terrible Street volunteer reported collecting 10,499 butts from that block. Presenters said the pilot averaged about 10,000 butts per month and recommended expanding the program, launching an ad campaign and integrating pocket‑ashtray distribution and culturally competent outreach.
Committee members praised the pilot and asked about an application process, budget estimates and expansion plans. SF Environment said it can provide estimates for materials and outreach and that Surfrider and partner agencies had applied for grants to fund additional cans. Supervisor Feuer moved to file the hearing; the motion carried.
Next steps: departments plan to provide cost estimates, pursue grant funding, expand outreach partnerships and work with supervisors’ offices to develop a budget and citywide expansion plan.
