Press Release Details

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 6, 2007

For More Information Contact
Christine Vilardo
The Ardmore Initiative
610-645-0540
Christine@TheArdmoreInitiative.org

Cigarette Litter Prevention Program Launches in Ardmore

Ardmore, PA —The Ardmore Initiative, in cooperation with Lower Merion Township and the Pennsylvania Resources Council, launched the Cigarette Litter Prevention Program on August 1, 2007. The Board of Directors of the Ardmore Initiative, which became an affiliate of Keep America Beautiful, Inc. in July 2007, adopted the national program for local use as an effort to help clean up downtown Ardmore.

Keep America Beautiful's Cigarette Litter Prevention Program was developed after identifying cigarette litter (cigarettes, packaging, and lighting material) as the most littered items found in cleanups around the country.

"Cigarette litter is definitely a problem for our community," says Christine Vilardo, Executive Director of the Ardmore Initiative. "I am happy to have the opportunity to launch this national program in Ardmore, and I'd like to thank Lower Merion Township staff for their assistance. The Cigarette Litter Prevention Program will support our community improvement efforts, and make for a more pleasant experience in the downtown commercial district. We are encouraging business and property owners to become involved, and to engage their employees and customers."

The Ardmore Cigarette Litter Prevention Program launched on August 1, with an initial scan and count of cigarette butts and litter in several test blocks in downtown Ardmore. Ash receptacles will be installed throughout downtown, and the following local businesses and offices will be distributing FREE pocket ashtrays through August 31 to adult smokers: Ardmore Pizza, Brownie's 23 East, McCloskey's, Milkboy Coffee, Rittenhouse Deli, The Ardmore Initiative, and Lower Merion Township. After an initial 30-day program period, a second scan/count of the test blocks will be conducted to determine the effectiveness of the program.

For more information, please visit www.TheArdmoreInitiative.org or www.kab.org, or e-mail Christine@TheArdmoreInitiative.org or info@kab.org.

About The Ardmore Initiative:
The Ardmore Initiative is a business district authority responsible for physical improvements and economic development in downtown Ardmore. Over the years, the Ardmore Initiative has worked with Lower Merion Township and local community organizations to improve the appearance of downtown Ardmore and ensure a vibrant mix of businesses in its historic district.

About Keep America Beautiful, Inc.:
Keep America Beautiful, Inc. is a national, nonprofit public education and community improvement organization whose network of more than 540 local, statewide, and international programs educates individuals about litter prevention, beautification, and ways to reduce, reuse, recycle and properly manage waste materials.

Through partnerships and strategic alliances with citizens, businesses, and government, Keep America Beautiful's programs motivate millions of volunteers annually to clean up, beautify, and improve their neighborhoods, creating safer and more livable community environments.

Keep America Beautiful celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2003.

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