The Port of San Diego has started a unique project, as it will recycle a type of waste that is often left behind as litter – cigarette butts. This project aims to reduce the amount of discarded cigarette butts on Port tidelands, and it will help recycle the waste into useful products.
The Port installed 31 cigarette butt receptacles that it purchased from TerraCycle around San Diego Bay, in Port parks and in other Port areas with heavy pedestrian traffic. The receptacles provide an easy option for smokers to dispose of their used cigarettes.
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Port’s General Services Department staff will empty the receptacles and ship the used cigarette butts to TerraCycle. TerraCycle will then process the used butts, separating the tobacco from the paper. Those elements will be then composted and the cigarette’s filter will be recycled into plastic pellets.
The cigarette butt receptacles will be located at:
- The busy North Embarcadero area where the Port’s cruise ship terminals, the San Diego Maritime Museum and the USS Midway Museum are;
- Shelter Island Park;
- Spanish Landing Park;
- Harbor Island Park;
- Seaport Village;
- Pepper Park in National City;
- Chula Vista’s Bayside, Bayfront and Marina View Parks;
- Embarcadero Marina Parks North and South;
- Ruocco Park;
- Tuna Harbor, the commercial fishing area near the Fish Market Restaurant;
- America’s Cup Harbor.
- Port’s Administration Building and General Services/Procurement offices.
