West Seattle weekend scene: Imagine a buttless beach

| Environment | West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news

On the sidewalk next to the volleyball courts on Alki, you’ll find Barbara Clabots and other Surfrider Foundation/Seattle Chapter volunteers getting out the word to get cigarette butts out of the sand, as previewed here the other night. The ones in the container next to Barbara were collected from beach cleanups last year at Alki and Golden Gardens. Surfrider is trying to combat the widely held (and erroneous) belief that the material in cigarette filters is biodegradable – it’s actually plastic. They’re also offering businesses the chance to sponsor canisters like this one for ongoing disposal:

Kara August 23, 2014 (1:19 pm)

Read this article awhile back about a butt recycling program in Vancouver, British Columbia, wish we had that here: http://www.earth911.com/living/health/vancouver-cigarette-butts/

Alki Resident August 23, 2014 (1:33 pm)

Lots of things happening at Alki this morning. Beach volleyball, rowing races, even bikini models being photographed.

WSB August 23, 2014 (1:37 pm)

We have a separate story coming up on the rowing … got sidetracked by the two breaking stories this past hour.

alki Resident August 23, 2014 (1:39 pm)

Alki Resident, please change your name, Ive been that name for years.

Alki Resident August 23, 2014 (2:21 pm)

Alki Resident, please change YOUR name. Nothing is more generic than “Alki Resident.” Anyone that resides in Alki should be allowed to use.

WSB August 23, 2014 (2:29 pm)

No name squabbles, please. In the past, people who unknowingly used a handle that someone else had long used (and I can vouch for AR) kindly voluntarily chose something else, or if they didn’t, the other person tended to go with “The Original (Whatever).” On the main site, we do not currently require registration/login because we believe it’s generally a barrier to people dropping in to participate if they feel so moved, even if it’s not something they do frequently. (We also, unlike many websites, are not interested in collecting your personal information and selling/giving it to third parties, and that’s one big reason other sites require you to have a login/sign-in. Our forum requires a login only because that’s the only way that software works, but the login does NOT automatically transfer to this side of the site.) – TR

Andrea August 23, 2014 (2:48 pm)

Thank you, Surfrider! I’ve never understood why so many smokers feel so free to toss their trash just anywhere. If you’re going to smoke, dispose of your butts properly!

NW August 23, 2014 (4:12 pm)

Thanks for the coverage on this WSB had I not read it here and the coverage last week I would have never known the volunteers were at Alki getting the word out about these sleek containers that are made available for smokers to responsibly dispose of the butts. I went down and spoke with one of the volunteers and plan on going to the Surfrider Foundation Seattle Chapter meeting in Sept. to learn more about these containers and I hope to get some more interest in areas of West Seattle where it’s obvious no containers or ashtray of any kind are available. I can admit freely as I use to smoke that when I was done with them I simply flicked them wherever!

The Original Alki Resident August 23, 2014 (7:33 pm)

Good deal cleaning up this filth. Smoking is a disgusting habit even more disgusting the way they leave their waste all over the place. Might as well be used toilet paper

smokeycretin9 August 23, 2014 (9:44 pm)

Smokers feel so damn entitled to throw their TRASH aka butts anywhere. Why?

Near Alki August 24, 2014 (12:17 am)

As a former “smoker” (now a “vapor”) I used to strip my cigs and put the butt in my pocket or a garbage can as soon as I came by one. It’s just not cool to litter and cigarette butts are just that.

JP August 24, 2014 (7:00 am)

That’s actually a great and cleaver idea! Need more of these around the blocks.

Marge Evans August 24, 2014 (8:22 am)

I like the canisters but who is responsible for maintaining them?

NW August 24, 2014 (9:34 am)

A volunteer I spoke with says parks dept. has the key(s) to the two which are right along ,of all places, the bike path one in front of volleyball courts the other closer to Spuds. From what I gather speaking to the volunteer with Surfrider independent businesses purchase and either they or someone ,maybe in our case in West Seattle, neighbor advocacy group maintains them.

Casey August 24, 2014 (11:12 am)

Another former smoker, now-vaper here. First, stop judging smokers – alcohol kills just as many and injures more. Second, everyone has a vice, including the self-righteous and indignant. Third, everyone – including smokers – has a responsibility to pick up their trash.

While cigarette butts on the beach are thoroughly disgusting, so are the empty soda cans and cups, straws and food containers that are regularly in the same vicinity. Cigarette smokers need to do their part, but that doesn’t make them all of the problem.

Also, stop caring so much about what other people do to their bodies. You’re not better, just louder.

bolo August 25, 2014 (12:19 am)

Yeah, stop judging cigarette butts. They can be a good thing:

http://www.iop.org/news/14/aug/page_63697.html

J242 August 25, 2014 (4:43 pm)

Being tossed into the sand or on the streets & sidewalks isn’t doing anyone any good. Even when I was a smoker I would roll the cherry off and toss the filter “butt” in the trash. Littering is littering period and let’s all keep our neighborhoods looking nice! :)

NW August 25, 2014 (6:55 pm)

Just to let everyone know its perfectly ok to walk into an establishment where numerous butts are on the sidewalk or gutter in front of and ask to borrow a broom and dustpan and go to work. It may just give them a hint and they may follow suit. I have done it and will continue to in Seattle Wa. I love where I live and I love the earth that much

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