NORWICH — On April 22, the PULSE Coalition, The Place, and Tobacco Free Zone/Reality Check of Cortland, Tompkins, and Chenango Counties hosted an Earth Day clean-up event at Kurt Beyer Park. The event had a strong turnout with several Norwich teens and almost a dozen Chenango County organizations.

The event focused on improving the park environment to create a cleaner, more enjoyable space for families and children. Volunteers collected over 300 pieces of tobacco waste and filled multiple bags with litter, making a noticeable impact on the area.

Cigarettes are the most littered item in the world. They leach nicotine, toxic chemicals, and heavy metals into the environment. In addition, discarded vaping devices are a growing concern for the environment. Vaping devices contain plastic that encases lithium batteries, metals, and toxic nicotine. There is no standardized way to recycle e-cigarettes, so the majority of these products end up in landfills.

A variety of policy approaches can help address the problem of tobacco waste, including limiting access and sale of the products (especially disposable e-cigarettes) and implementing tobacco-free outdoor policies in public spaces.

If you are interested in learning more and/or receiving assistance, including free signs, visit the Tobacco Free Zone program website at www.TFreeZone.net.

If you’re interested in learning more about the PULSE Coalition or youth prevention efforts, please contact jessicac@chenangohealth.org.

For teen programming and youth prevention services at The Place, young people can find opportunities to connect, learn, and grow in a supportive environment. Contact teen@theplacenorwich.com or call 607-336-9696 to get involved.

- Information from Tobacco Free Zone