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Research: Lakeridge Health, Oshawa

  • Lakeridge Health Hospital Court Oshawa, ON, L1G 8A2 Canada (map)

Tracking tobacco waste to combat contraband.

This isn't just a cleanup, it's citizen science in action. It’s a research-driven event where collected cigarette waste is documented and analyzed to better understand illegal tobacco products and their impact. A Greener Future has partnered with researchers to analyze cigarette filter waste and track the presence of legal versus contraband tobacco products in our communities. Your participation helps:

Combat contraband tobacco by providing real-world data on illegal products
Advance scientific understanding of cigarette litter composition and environmental impact
Protect local ecosystems by removing toxic waste from our shared spaces
Contribute to policy change through evidence-based research

Every cigarette butt you collect becomes part of a larger dataset that informs tobacco regulation, environmental protection, and public health initiatives.

Event Details

🗓 Date: May 26, 2026
Meeting Time: 10:00 AM
📍 Meeting Location: Across from the front entrance of the hospital. Google Map
👥 Your Event Host: Recia will be there to welcome you!

🔹 What to Bring
Weather-Appropriate Clothing – Dress comfortably for the conditions.
Closed-toed shoes
Reusable Water Bottle – Stay hydrated while we clean up! 💧

All cleanup equipment will be provided!

🔹 What to Expect

🧤 A hands-on research experience
You'll help collect cigarette butts during a 2-hour cleanup. After volunteers leave, our staff will process the collected materials for research analysis, no additional work required from you!

📸 Documentation for science
Collected materials are photographed and analyzed to identify filter types, brands, and compliance with Canadian tobacco regulations.

🌱 Community impact
You'll leave the site cleaner, safer, and more beautiful while contributing to important environmental and public health research.

👥 Friendly atmosphere
Join a welcoming community of volunteers who care about environmental action and scientific discovery. Whether you're a first-time volunteer or a cleanup veteran, you'll find your place here.

Register Now

Register now to join this research cleanup and make your volunteer hours count for science. We will never share your email and won’t send you unsolicited messages, we only contact you regarding events you’ve registered for.

About This Research Partnership

A Greener Future is proud to partner with Rothmans, Benson and Hedges Inc. (RBH) to conduct qualitative analysis of cigarette litter in Canada. This research addresses a critical gap in tobacco science by tracking real-world product use through environmental waste analysis, which contributes to broader efforts to understand and reduce illegal tobacco products in Canada.

Key research goals:

  • Identify the proportion of legal versus contraband tobacco products

  • Monitor changes in filter types as regulations evolve

  • Contribute to peer-reviewed scientific literature on tobacco waste

  • Support evidence-based policy development

Your participation makes this research possible. Together, we're building a cleaner, healthier future through citizen science.

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