Oklahoma City adds cigarette recycling stations

Oklahoma City has announced it will install 23 cigarette waste recycling stations downtown through a partnership between the city’s Office of Sustainability, OKC Beautiful and Downtown OKC Inc.

The cigarette recycling stations will be installed on Project 180 light poles in Bicentennial Park, at city hall, the Oklahoma County Courthouse and Leadership Square. Downtown OKC 
will service and maintain the stations, and all cigarette waste collected will be shipped at no cost to a private company. The excess tobacco and paper will be composted and the filters will be recycled into a reusable high-grade plastic.

“Downtown belongs to everyone,” says Lisa Synar, OKC Beautiful executive director. “It is so important we provide the tools for everyone to do their part to safeguard downtown’s appeal. Through this program, reducing the cigarette waste that collects in our tree wells, streets and sidewalks doesn’t just beautify downtown, it also diverts waste from our landfills.”

OKC Beautiful is one of 42 organizations to receive 2016 grant funding totaling $240,000 through Keep America Beautiful’s Cigarette Litter Prevention Program. 

“Storm drains too often end up as litter receptacles,” says T. O. Bowman, the city’s sustainability manager. “The toxic chemicals in cigarette waste can then leach into our waterways. This program partnership with OKC Beautiful and Downtown OKC Inc. will help us ensure Oklahoma City remains beautiful, healthy and sustainable.”