In a campus-wide effort to remove cigarette butts littering the University of North Carolina Wilmington campus, a massive clean sweep will be held Saturday, April 19 from 3 to 5 p.m.

Volunteers for the annual UNC Wilmington Cigarette Butt Sweep will meet in front of Wagoner Dining Hall at 3 p.m..

Danelle Lekan, member of the UNCW Surfrider student organization, said, "Cigarette butts aren't biodegradable, and they wash into our coastal streams and the ocean when it rains. Many students are not aware of this and throw their cigarette butts on our campus."

Cigarette butts can kill animals such as seagulls and turtles, and they also destroy the beauty of the university campus as well as the neighboring beaches that students frequently enjoy, Lekan continued.

"By sweeping the UNCW campus clean of cigarette butts, we hope to raise awareness about the harmful consequences of tossing cigarette butts on the ground," she said, adding that the sweep will also educate students about disposing of cigarette butts properly.

The sweep is part of the university's sustainability initiative, which promotes and facilitates the cooperative efforts of faculty, students and staff to educate, develop values, share knowledge, adopt policies and implement practices for a sustainable environment. Sponsors of the event include UNCW Surfrider Foundation, Sustainability Committee, Housing and Residence Life, Surf Club, Student Government Association and Greek Life.

Media contact:
Dana Fischetti, manager of news and media relations, 910.962.7259 or fischettid@uncw.edu