Two Minutes of Your Time Can Earn You a Place To Stash Your Butts

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Do you or someone in your life smoke cigarettes?

The County’s Pollution Prevention Program is tasked with reducing cigarette waste’s harmful impact on our environment.

Some years ago, cars 🚗 usually came with an ashtray built into the vehicle, but with smoking rates on the decline, most newer cars no longer come with a built-in ashtray.

Similarly, with fewer people who smoke and more restrictions on where it’s legal to smoke, it’s not as easy as it once was to find a receptacle within eyesightsmoke.  

So, what’s someone who smokes supposed to do with the butt of their cigarette when on the road or out and about?

Use a free pocket ashtray. It snaps shut, contains odor, has a cute otter 🦦 image on it, and… surprise! It will fit in your pocket or purse.

Take a 2-minute survey and we’ll mail you a free pocket ashtray. To be eligible, you must be a San Mateo County resident who smokes.

Our Program cares about our environment, and your health – spring into action even if you don’t need a pocket ashtray to stow away butts. Visit smchealth.org/notobacco for resources to help you or a loved one quit smoking 🚭.

Dispose of Medicine Safely

There are now over 20 locations where you can go to get rid of unwanted or expired medicine!

Find a location near you that now includes local pharmacies at smchealth.org/RxDisposal. Don’t see your local pharmacy on the list of collection locations? Ask the owner or manager to join the MED-Project Safe Disposal Program to make medicine disposal more convenient for you and your neighbors!

Beyond the Bag – Going the Extra Eco Mile

Let’s go the extra eco mile in our pollution solution resolutions.

We enjoyed reading and appreciate your responses to our Pollution Solution Resolution blog posted on December 29, 2015. In light of receiving so many innovative and forward-thinking practices that save resources and money, we’d like to offer ideas that go “Beyond the Bag.” So many of you told us that you already practice our suggestions and essentially are Going the Extra Eco Mile. We are committed to sharing your ideas through our Environmental Health Services blog. Here’s what we heard from you:

Spotlight on Our Shores

Rockaway Beach sunset by C. Knowles

By Cynthia Knowles, Pollution Prevention Specialist, San Mateo County Environmental Health

I have the honor of living in what I believe to be one of the most striking, beautiful places anywhere – the San Mateo County coast. And it’s full of wonders. Pedro Point sunsets, whales swimming alongside surfers at Montara state beach, Mavericks beach…Dually exhilarating AND calming.

For some, a sense of place is not just an address, but a personal experience, relationship or connection; an area rich in unique characteristics, including cultural ones, that make it special. My strong attachment to a sense of place helps define who I am and where I belong.

2016 Pollution Solution Resolutions

Make 2016 a year where your resolutions will help protect the environment, your wallet, and even your health! There are many green resolutions to choose from, but here are five suggestions that can have a big impact if you commit to them throughout the upcoming year.

1. “Make It a Habit and Grab It” – Still kicking yourself for buying a bag for 25 cents while shopping? Start saving money and a lot of trees by committing to putting your reusable bags by the front door, or in your car after each shopping trip. Don’t have enough bags? Email us with your mailing address at pollutionprevention@smcgov.org and we’ll mail you one!

Glisten Your Holiday Green

Make your holidays a little greener.

Spice up your holiday season with some sustainability cheer this year! From eco-friendly gift wrapping to environmentally conscious decoration tips, read on for how to minimize your environmental impact while making the most out of your holiday with family and friends.