The UNSMOKE

Butt Blitz®

Join Canada’s Largest Cigarette Litter Cleanup:

BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

CANADA CLEANUPS

A woman wearing sunglasses and a yellow T-shirt with #UNSMOKE printed on it stands on a staircase, holding a large plastic bag filled with cigarette butts.

What is the UNSMOKE Butt Blitz®?

Since 2015, the UNSMOKE Butt Blitz has mobilized volunteers across Canada to tackle one of the most common yet overlooked types of litter—cigarette butts—which make up 1 in 5 pieces of litter found during our shoreline cleanups. To date, volunteers have removed over 6.3 million cigarette butts, sending them to TerraCycle Canada for recycling.

More than just a cleanup effort, the Butt Blitz raises awareness about the environmental and health impacts of cigarette litter, empowering people to make responsible disposal choices. Now recognized as the world’s largest cigarette litter cleanup, the program continues to expand. Thanks to UNSMOKE Canada Cleanups funding, next year’s goal is ambitious: collecting 1.5 million cigarette butts over April & September 2026. Join the movement and be part of the solution!

Why Cigarette Litter Matters

Pollution

Cigarette butts contain plastic, arsenic, lead, and nicotine, which can leach into soil and water, contaminating ecosystems and harming wildlife and people. A single cigarette butt can pollute up to 1,000 litres of water.

Wildlife

Small animals, birds, and marine life mistake cigarette butts for food, which can lead to ingestion, poisoning, and even death. The plastic fibres in filters don’t break down, making them a persistent threat to wildlife.

Fire Hazard

Improperly discarded cigarette butts can cause wildfires and urban fires, especially in dry conditions. Countless fires worldwide have been started by smoldering cigarette butts tossed onto dry grass, leaves, or garbage.