Indian Rocks Beach Trash Tribe

🐾 Nola Beignet got to visit IRB for sunset 🌅

Indian Rocks Beach is considering a ban on ci******es and va**ng on the beach, with local cleanup groups saying cigarette litter is one of the biggest problems they see.

For about five years, Indian Rocks Beach Trash Tribe has organized shoreline cleanups, and founder Jenn Privalle says cigarette butts are the most common item volunteers find.

Keep Pinellas Beautiful also points to the scale of the problem, citing an estimate of about 150 BILLION cigarette butts littered in the U.S. every year. Filters contain plastic and can break down into smaller pieces that affect beaches and wildlife.

City officials say beach-cleaning equipment often can’t pick up the butts, leaving them behind in the sand and surrounding environment.

The proposed ordinance would ban ci******es and v**e devices on Indian Rocks Beach. Repeat violations could bring fines of up to $500 or 60 days in jail, though Mayor Lan Vaughan says the goal is compliance.

The next reading is set for Sept. 8 at 6 p.m. at Indian Rocks Beach City Hall.

Should ci******es and va**ng be banned on Indian Rocks Beach? 🚭👇

https://youtu.be/wpCc8WD4q5o?is=3bOnUGVTsRxqMpFt

The Most Frequent Form of Litter on Earth When people think of ocean pollution, they picture plastic bottles,...

🚭 14 Years Later…it’s time IRB! Proud of you for finally fighting for this change.

Fourteen years ago (see the throwback video attached), the community was already talking about the impact of cigarette-butt litter on Indian Rocks Beach. Year after year, cigarette butts have continued to be one of the small but persistent items we encounter during beach cleanups.

Now, 14 years later, Indian Rocks Beach is preparing to vote on a complete smoking ban on the beach (other than filterless ci**rs I believe).

For the Indian Rocks Beach Trash Tribe amazing volunteers, this issue has always been about more than what we can pick up during a cleanup. Cigarette filters can remain in the environment, break down into smaller pieces, and introduce plastics and chemicals into the sand and water. They’re also something wildlife can encounter or mistake for food.

It’s pretty remarkable to look back at where this conversation started and see where our community is today.

Whatever happens with next week’s vote, we’re proud that protecting our beach, Gulf and wildlife continues to be part of the conversation. 🌊🐢💙

Leave only footprints.

Indian Rocks Beach fights litter, cigarette butts The City of Indian Rocks Beach wants to strengthen its litter ordin...

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55 baby sea turtles died after crawling toward lights instead of the ocean. Anna Maria Island conservation group volunteers tell Tampa Bay 28's Haley Zarcone that simple lighting changes could prevent more deaths.