HomeMy Public PortalAboutCOTI_PR20180822_CoastNotAshtrays.docxFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contacts: Shawn Gillen
(912) 786-4573
-or-
Tim Arnold
tybeecleanbeach@gmail.com
Cigarette Litter Prevention “Coasts” into Coastal Georgia for August 24th Event
TYBEE ISLAND, Georgia (August 22, 2018) - In the continued promotion of cigarette litter prevention, the GEORGIA’S COAST IS NOT AN ASHTRAY “drink coaster outreach effort” is coming to
Tybee Island bars and restaurants on August 24th. Using GEORGIA’S COAST IS NOT AN ASHTRAY branded drink coasters, participating local establishments in Georgia’s six coastal counties
will reach a targeted population with educational information discouraging the littering of cigarette butts.
Made of cellulose acetate, a type of plastic, cigarette butts do not easily biodegrade and are the nation’s number one most littered item. “Partnering with local restaurants and bars
allows us to reach a designated audience with important cigarette litter messaging,” said Shawn Gillen, Tybee Island’s City Manager. “This is a true community outreach effort with coastal
establishments joining forces by using 25,000 messaged drink coasters to educate locals and visitors about cigarette litter.”
A joint educational and outreach program with Keep Liberty Beautiful, Keep Savannah Beautiful, Keep McIntosh Beautiful, Keep Camden Beautiful, Tybee Clean Beach Volunteers, the City
of Tybee Island, Ft. McCallaster State Park, Crooked River State Park, University of Georgia Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant, and Keep Golden Isles Beautiful, GEORGIA’S COAST
IS NOT AN ASHTRAY is funded via a $15,000 Keep America Beautiful cigarette litter prevention program grant.
Come out to the restaurants and bars on Tybee on Friday August 24, 2018 to show your solidarity with the important message, “GEORGIA’S COAST IS NOT AN ASHTRAY – properly dispose of cigarette
butts. Keep our beaches and waterways healthy.”
About Tybee Island, GA.: The City of Tybee Island, Georgia is on the outermost barrier island off the Savannah area coast. With a wild bird sanctuary, over three miles of ocean beaches,
and salt marshes on the back river, outdoor recreation activities abound for visitors to the island. As a key defense point to the important Savannah port, Tybee’s Fort Screven, Tybee
Post Theater, Fort Pulaski, and the Tybee Island and Cockspur Lighthouses combine with the unique architectures of the island’s raised cottages to form a rich backdrop for history buffs.
Attracting a strong artistic community, there are several local supporting art galleries. Keeping the island interesting year round are several arts festivals, the Annual Pirate Fest,
the Beach Bum Parade, St Patrick’s Day celebrations, the Hot Rod Run, the Beach Bash, and the Christmas Parade, as well as fireworks displays on Independence and New Year’s Days off
the Walter
W. Parker Pier and Pavilion. The Marine Science Center cooperates with Georgia’s DNR to protect threatened sea turtle species by searching for nests, protecting their eggs, and making
sure hatchlings make it to sea. For visitor information, stop by http://www.tybeevisit.com/, and to find more about the City of Tybee Island, visit our web site at http://www.cityoftybee.org/.
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