Students install 'cannons' to catch your butt, and eye

Image by Michelle Lee/James Island Charter High SchoolImage by 20081222-butt-canons.jpg Eye-catching.

On a warm Saturday, December 20, two classes at James Island Charter High School along with members of the Charleston Surfrider Foundation installed these colorful "butt cannons" at Folly Beach.

The aim is to reduce the number of littered cigarettes thrown on the beach -- harsh chemicals in cigarettes and filters leach into the ocean and sand, contaminating waterways.

The Post and Courier also has a nice photo gallery of the strange devices being installed.

Here's a bit more about the program from an e-mailed press release:
The students became interested in the cigarette clean-up effort after a classroom presentation on the Surfrider Foundation and its mission given by the Charleston Chapter chairperson, Keith Merrill. This presentation inspired the student group to take action. The students believe that the "butt cannons" are a sustainable way to improve cigarette litter on Folly, and hopefully, other coastal beaches. Surfrider has installed a few cannons at the local beaches, but do not currently have one at each beach access. The students decided that a group installation would be a great way to bring more attention to the issue, and inspire locals to support the cause. Earth Force helped the group get started through $750 in grant funding for Learn and Serve Challenge Week. This funding has been used in part for supplies to make the cannons for Folly Beach.

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