Citizens for Salem/Beverly Water Resources launched in 2010 to explore how the cities of Salem and Beverly, Massachusetts, which share a water utility and coastal resources, can work together to improve water conservation for the benefit of shared resources, citizens and visitors. In its first formal exercises, this new ad hoc committee seeks to: 1. Minimize notorious coastal litter – the cigarette butt – from polluting coastal waters. 2. Reduce a costly, pervasive waste stream – the non-biodegradable single use plastic bottle – which lurks in rivers, streams, and along the shoreline, requiring 450 years to decompose and leaching toxic chemicals. The group received a grant in 2010 to launch portable ash urns and water canteen borrow programs to minimize cigarette butt pollution and bottled water waste generated by numerous public events in Salem and Beverly, MA.
Water Wise Salem Beverly
Our Purpose
: We are about protecting water and using it wisely. Water Wise Salem Beverly can help reduce the amount of plastics generated by public events. We have Butt Bin receptacles and large Water Canteens that public event planners can borrow, sparing themselves nightmare trash cleanups and saving money! Our new website is at WaterWiseSalem.com or WaterWiseBeverly.com. Supplying public tap water at public events is an easy way to lower event carbon footprints and waste streams. With BPA-free water canteens, tap water is provided and plastic bottled water waste is reduced. Providing butt bins at community events can stem the incredible tide of butts entering local waters. Cigarette butts are non-biodegradable and litter the coastline, excreting more than 60 toxins that harm or adversely affect marine life. We are very concerned about the effects of marine debris on oceans and work with Salem Sound Coastwatch and its Adopt a Beach program.