Butt booting

It’s not often that a company can help out a charity, and do it with little to no monetary involvement. But green industry businesses in Columbus, Ohio, are doing just that through KickbuttColumbus!, a program designed to clean up cigarette butts and other litter at highway entrance and exit ramps – the gateways to the city.

The idea developed in 2009 when Patrick Lynch and some members of a group he was involved with were looking to get participate in a community service project.

“We talked about donating this, and donating that,” Lynch says, “and I kind of came up with this idea of, ‘Well, why don’t we pull together as contractors and do a citywide cleanup?’”

After investigating, Lynch found the organization Keep Columbus Beautiful was more than willing to help out. He then reached out to local industry groups like the Ohio Nursery and Landscape Association and the Columbus Landscape Association. Lynch says an activity like this is something a green industry company in any state could accomplish. And it makes sense for the industry to take part in a clean-up because of what the community has done for you.

“I think it’s right up the alley with what we do,” he says. “We’re in the business of beautifying our environment in general, whether it be in someone’s front or backyard or be it at some company we maintain. I think it’s good that we set a precedent for people, and also to give back.

“Our community gives a lot of work to us. Whether we work for municipalities or we’re working for the Joneses or XYZ corporation. So it’s a good way for the green industry to give back to the community by donating time and getting something done.”

Lynch says the groups cover 25-35 highway ramps and pick up 7 tons of trash and more than 65,000 cigarette butts, which are also recycled.

The event will happen March 31, and volunteers can sign up days before the event at www.kickbuttcolumbus.eventbrite.com to participate. The photos here are from last year’s event. You can view more photos at www.facebook.com/kickbuttcolumbus.

Volunteers in the photo participate in a warm-up before the clean-up gets underway. The group covers 25-35 highway ramps and will pick-up about 7 tons of trash.