A little litter Does a lot of damage
Cigarette butts are the most commonly littered item worldwide, and Red Deer is no exception. Unfortunately, littered cigarette butts do not disappear and can result in a fine of up to $1000.
A common myth is that cigarette butts are not harmful litter because the filter is made out of cotton that will easily decompose. In truth, a typical cigarette butt filter is made out of a type of plastic called cellulose acetate. These filters can take up to ten years to decompose, leaving behind microplastic pollution.
The microplastic pollution that comes from cigarette butts isn’t even the worst of what happens to that little cigarette butt that gets tossed on the ground. Cigarette butts leach toxins into the environment, get eaten by wildlife, are a primary cause of house and forest fires, and cost millions of taxpayer dollars to clean up.
If you choose to smoke, please do your part to dispose of cigarette butts responsibly.
Have you heard of pocket ashtrays?
Pocket ashtrays are a convenient way to butt out on-the-go. The air seal suffocates smokables (so you can insert a lit cigarette) and keeps the smell in!
Pocket ashtrays are the perfect addition to your everyday life (pop it in your purse, backpack, or car), but also for your adventures. The small size is ideal for camping, kayaking, or anything you do while out and about—if you can carry a pack of cigarettes and a lighter, then you can also carry a pocket ashtray.
Thanks to funding from TD Friends of the Environment Foundation and The City of Red Deer, free pocket ashtrays in two different fun designs can be picked up at the Kerry Wood Nature Centre year-round. Please email if you would like to request a large number of pocket ashtrays.
Want to help spread the word?
If you are from an organization or business that would like to help spread the word about the harmful effects of littered cigarette butts and the availability of free pocket ashtrays, you are welcome to use any of the following Cigarette Butt Awareness Program poster designs:
Moose Poster Birds Poster Litter Poster Fire Poster
Interested in recycling your cigarette butts?
Collect your cigarette butts at home or at work, then send them in to be recycled using a free shipping label. More information on recycling cigarette butts.
