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A Greener Future and UNSMOKE Canada Launch Ambitious ‘UNSMOKE Butt Blitz’ to Tackle Cigarette Litter Across Canada
Nationwide campaign aims to collect 1 million cigarette butts in April and an additional 500,000 in September.
A Greener Future, in partnership with UNSMOKE Canada, an initiative of Rothmans, Benson and Hedges Inc. (RBH) is proud to announce the launch of the ‘UNSMOKE Butt Blitz,’ Canada’s largest cigarette litter cleanup campaign. This year, the initiative sets an ambitious goal to collect 1 million cigarette butts in April and an additional 500,000 in September. All cigarette butts will be sent to TerraCycle for recycling. RBH is fully funding this partnership.
The Halifax event will take place from 11am to 1pm.
Since its inception in 2015, the Butt Blitz has mobilized volunteers nationwide to address cigarette litter, which accounts for one in five pieces of litter found during litter cleanups hosted by A Greener Future. To date, 5.1 million cigarette butts have been removed and sent to TerraCycle Canada for recycling thanks to the dedication of volunteers and the support of partners like UNSMOKE Canada.
Why cigarette litter matters:
- Environmental pollution:cigarette butts contain harmful substances such as plastic, arsenic, and lead, which can leach into soil and water, contaminating ecosystems and posing risks to wildlife and human health.
- Wildlife threats:small animals, birds, and marine life often mistake cigarette butts for food, leading to ingestion, poisoning, and even death.
- Fire hazards:improperly discarded cigarette butts can ignite wildfires and urban fires, especially in dry conditions, posing significant risks to communities and natural habitats.
Get Involved:
A Greener Future and UNSMOKE Canada invite individuals, community groups, and organizations across Canada to participate in the UNSMOKE Butt Blitz. Volunteers can join public events scheduled throughout April and September or reach out to help organize an event in their community. All collected cigarette butts will be sent to TerraCycle, where they will be recycled into various products, diverting waste from landfills and contributing to a circular economy. See event listings here: https://www.agreenerfuture.ca/the-butt-blitz
About A Greener Future:
Founded in 2014, A Greener Future is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting environmental protection through organized litter cleanups, educational programs, and community events. The organization is committed to creating a clean, healthy environment for future generations.
About UNSMOKE Canada:
UNSMOKE Canada is an initiative of Rothmans, Benson & Hedges Inc. UNSMOKE advocates for positive change, dispelling misconceptions, and working towards policies that reflect the transformative possibilities of smoke-free alternatives.
Since 2020, UNSMOKE has supported local community cleanup projects across Canada. Through partnerships, UNSMOKE has properly disposed of over 10 million discarded cigarette butts through 101 community projects staffed by thousands of volunteers nationwide. Learn more about UNSMOKE Canada at unsmoke.ca
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A Greener Future and UNSMOKE Canada will be hosting their sixth annual UNSMOKE Butt Blitz this April, including at a stop in Halifax (Halifax Central Library-5440 Spring Garden Road, Halifax, NS, B3J 1E9) on April 5, 2025. We’d love for you to share this impactful community event and help spread awareness.
Cigarette butts are the most littered item in the world, making up 1 in 5 pieces of litter found during A Greener Future’s cleanups. They harm wildlife, pollute waterways, and release microplastics. The UNSMOKE Butt Blitz is a community cleanup focused on removing this waste.
With support from UNSMOKE Canada Cleanups, the goal this year is to collect 1 million cigarette butts across Canada in April. To date, nearly five million pounds of litter, including four million cigarette butts, have been removed and sent to TerraCycle Canada for recycling.
We invite you to join us on April 5, 2025 to see this important work in action and connect with passionate volunteers. There will be opportunities for media interviews with event coordinator(s) who can speak to the national impact of this initiative and why tackling cigarette litter is crucial for our environment
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