The most prestigious award is the Affiliate Award, which recognizes the best affiliate out of more than 600 in the nation. Jacksonville was recognized with a distinguished service citation for its successful litter prevention efforts including citywide cleanup and outreach events and its ongoing partnerships to plant trees and plants at local elementary schools.

“Residents in Jacksonville take pride in their city. This award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of people who care deeply about keeping this community clean,” said Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown. “As we work tirelessly to recruit new business, the Keep Jacksonville Beautiful Commission is playing a big role by making our city look its best.”

In addition to the Affiliate Award, Jacksonville’s efforts to reduce cigarette litter received second place in the Cigarette Litter Prevention Program category. Evaluations of all applicants were based on efforts to recreate at a local level successful program strategies outlined by KAB. The strategies include support for local anti-litter laws, efforts to influence behavior through public education, installation of ash receptacles and the distribution of portable and pocket ashtrays.

KJB, through funds donated by KAB, helped to reduce cigarette litter by placing cigarette receptacles at several public locations including Riverside, the Northbank Riverwalk, Downtown, the Eastside and the Southbank. The KJB commission also began a new Bait Tank partnership with St. Vincent’s Hospital, the Haskell Company and the St. Johns Riverkeeper. The Bait Tanks, installed along the St. Johns River, collect cigarette butts and educate the public on their impact on fresh and saltwater. Cigarette butts leach toxins into rivers, lakes and oceans and have an adverse impact on water quality and marine life. KJB is the first KAB affiliate in the nation, and Jacksonville is the first city in Florida, to install Bait Tanks.

A number of partners helped to make the ongoing campaign possible including the city’s Public Works Department, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the St. Johns River Water Management District’s Water Action Volunteer program and Jacksonville Transportation Authority. In addition, Downtown Vision, Inc., a nonprofit organization whose purpose is to promote a cleaner and greener downtown Jacksonville, supported the program by lending its downtown ambassadors to distribute portable ashtrays to urban smokers.

The City of Jacksonville recognizes the Keep Jacksonville Beautiful commissioners and sponsors, as well as their partnering community agencies and volunteers.


Platinum Sponsors:

Waste Management, Inc.

Bank of America

Anheuser Busch/River Network

Florida Inland Navigation District


Gold Sponsors:

Republic Services/Southland Recycling

Hubbard Construction Company

DBI Services

WJCT

Keep America Beautiful


Silver Sponsors:

CITI Bank

Folio Weekly

Henry Schein, Inc.

Blade Buster

Aquagenix


Bronze Sponsor:

Clara’s Tidbits Restaurant

Publix Supermarkets Charities

Coca Cola Bottling Company

Henry Schein, Inc.

Renda Broadcasting

Haskell Company

Keyboard Connection

Lucy’s Crabcakes and Concession


For more information about Keep Jacksonville Beautiful, visit the city’s website at www.coj.net. For a list of all of the Keep America Beautiful 2011 Award Winners, visit www.kab.org. Keep America Beautiful is the nation’s largest volunteer-based community action and education organization.