Can You Recycle Cigarette Butts?

You probably know the bad things that happen with discarded cigarette butts, since they are the most littered item in America – the world, actually.  But we’d like for you to know that there is something positive that can be done with cigarette butts when they are properly collected and recycled.  Yes, recycled!

TerraCycle is a company that recycles many things – you’d be surprised!  And one of them is cigarette waste.  Individuals and organizations can send cigarettes, cigarette butts, cigarette filters, loose tobacco pouches, outer plastic packaging, inner foil packaging, rolling paper, and ash to TerraCycle.   (Cigarette boxes made from paper can be recycled through main stream, local programs.)  What do they DO with it?  Good question.

The cigarette butts are sorted by their different materials:  left over tobacco, paper, and the filter.  Any remaining tobacco and the paper around the filter are composted.  (Compost turns into beautiful, rich soil that’s great for growing plants.)  The filter part of a cigarette butt is NOT a naturally biodegradable product.  It is made of a white synthetic fiber called, cellulose acetate, which is then melted and made into pellets.

So what good are pelletized cigarette filters?  They are combined with other plastics and used to make things like shipping pallets and benches.  Who knew?  Now YOU know.  And now you can do something about the cigarette litter problem.

If you own a business or are with an organization that could benefit from a cigarette receptacle to collect and recycle! or properly dispose of cigarette waste, we’re giving away ten cigarette butt receptacles during the month of August.  All you need to do is enter your name on this form before midnight August 31, 2020.  A receptacle will be shipped directly to you!  Then YOU can start making a difference in your community.

We are also giving away a pocket ashtray to anyone who requests one, while supplies last.  Simply go to our website to take the pledge to Keep Virginia Beautiful by disposing of your cigarette butts responsibly, and give us your name and mailing address on the form provided.  We will mail you a pocket ashtray!