Keeping Downtown Hillsboro Clean and Green: A Cigarette Butt Recycling Initiative

At the Hillsboro Downtown Partnership, we are dedicated to making our community cleaner, greener, and more sustainable. Thanks to a generous grant from Keep America Beautiful, we are proud have in action, our initiative focused on collecting and recycling cigarette butts. This project is designed to reduce the environmental impact of cigarette litter, which is a growing concern in urban areas, and keep our downtown area pristine for everyone to enjoy.

The Problem with Cigarette Butts

Cigarette butts may seem small, but they pose a significant threat to our environment. In fact, they are the most commonly littered item worldwide. Each cigarette filter contains plastic and toxic chemicals that can leach into the soil and waterways, harming wildlife and polluting our ecosystems. With millions of cigarette butts discarded every day, the issue is too large to ignore.

As part of our commitment to maintaining a clean and beautiful downtown, we’ve partnered with Keep America Beautiful to launch a cigarette butt recycling program in Downtown Hillsboro. By diverting these waste products from landfills, we can ensure they are properly processed and reduce their harmful impact on the environment.

How You Can Help

Getting involved in the cigarette butt recycling initiative is simple! We’ve placed outdoor cigarette butt receptacles throughout Downtown Hillsboro, making it easy for smokers to discard their cigarette butts responsibly. If you’re unable to find a receptacle nearby, you can collect your cigarette butts in ziplock bags and drop them off at the HIVE at 233 SE Washington Street in Downtown Hillsboro.  

To make it even easier, the HIVE is offering free cigarette butt collectors and cigarette collector bags that you can use to collect and store cigarette butts while you're on the go. Simply stop by the HIVE to grab one and help keep our streets clean! Collect your butts and return them to the HIVE

The Importance of Prevention

While recycling is an important part of the solution, prevention is key. We encourage all members of the community—residents, workers, and visitors—to help us reduce cigarette butt litter in Downtown Hillsboro by taking a few simple steps:

• Dispose of cigarette butts responsibly: Always look for a designated receptacle or bring your cigarette butts to the HIVE for recycling.
• Consider switching to alternatives: If you smoke, consider using eco-friendly alternatives, such as biodegradable filters or smokeless options, to reduce your environmental impact.
• Spread the word: Help educate others about the dangers of littering and encourage your friends, family, and coworkers to participate in the recycling program.

A Cleaner, Greener Downtown

By participating in this initiative, you’re helping us make a big difference in our community. A cleaner Downtown Hillsboro benefits everyone—from pedestrians and business owners to wildlife and future generations. Together, we can create a space that reflects our pride in the environment and our commitment to sustainability.

We’d like to thank Keep America Beautiful for their generous grant that has made this initiative possible. This partnership is an important step toward keeping our downtown clean, vibrant, and eco-friendly. Stay tuned for updates on the progress of this program, and don’t forget to drop by the HIVE to pick up your free cigarette butt collector items today!

Thank you for your continued support in keeping Downtown Hillsboro beautiful.

#KeepHillsboroBeautiful #CigaretteButtRecycling #EcoFriendly #CleanStreets #Sustainability #GreenCommunity #LoveHillsboro #HillsboroDowntown #CommunityEffort