Project to reduce discarded butts

Two Hamilton organizations are joining forces to tackle the number of discarded cigarette butts on our city streets. The project is more than just beautification it’s also part of an initiative to improve the environment.

It hasn’t gone unnoticed by the Barton Village B.I.A. Whose mission is to clean up as many as possible this summer. The group began collecting discarded cigarettes in mid July, and they’ve already accumulated nearly 7,000.

They say a particular hot spot is in front of the Hamilton general hospital. Once collected the butts are shipped off to “Terracycle.” there the tobacco, ash and paper are turned into compost and the plastic in the filters is recycled.

The idea first came about after consulting Green Venture, a non-profit environmental organization in Hamilton. As part of the intiative Green Venture has also installed an interactive cigarette disposal box where smokers are invited to vote in a poll.

While responsibly disposing of their cigarettes it’s located near the corner of Kenilworth and Cannon. but ultimately it’s up to smokers to actually use them.