Cigarette Recycling Programs
Keeping our streets and waterways clean.
We’re taking steps to keep cigarette butts off the streets and out of landfills. By participating in TerraCycle Canada’s free, national Cigarette Waste Recycling Program, the BIA ensures that cigarette waste is properly collected, recycled, and given a second life.
TerraCycle is a global recycling company that specializes in hard-to-recycle materials not accepted through regular municipal systems. Through this program, cigarette butts are transformed into industrial products like plastic lumber, while remaining tobacco and paper are composted.
As part of the initiative, collectors earn TerraCycle points for each shipment of cigarette waste, which can be redeemed as charitable donations. The Austin Heights BIA has partnered with Community Ventures Society—an organization that supports people with developmental disabilities and their families—to empty receptacles and send collected waste to TerraCycle. In return, the society receives funds to support its programming.
To date, TerraCycle Canada has donated over $70,000 to nonprofits through this program. Cities, organizations, and individuals interested in reducing cigarette litter can learn more about how to get involved at terracycle.ca
Check out the map below for the location our cigarette recycling collection boxes.
