PRESS RELEASE: A Greener Future and UNSMOKE Canada Launch National “Build a Bench” Campaign to Tackle Cigarette Litter
Toronto, Ontario – April 2026 – A Greener Future and UNSMOKE Canada are proud to launch the April 2026 edition of the UNSMOKE Butt Blitz, a nationwide campaign challenging communities across Canada to collect 1 million cigarette butts in just one month.
This year’s campaign introduces a bold and tangible goal: Collect 1 million cigarette butts and recycle them into a public park bench through TerraCycle.
The month-long initiative will feature in-person cleanup events across Ontario and beyond, alongside an Individual Participation Challenge that allows Canadians to collect cigarette litter anywhere in their communities throughout April.
Together, volunteers, corporate teams, environmental groups, and everyday citizens will transform one of the most common forms of litter into something lasting and public.
Flagship Event: Toronto – Saturday, April 11, 2026
On Saturday, April 11, A Greener Future will host the campaign’s flagship event in front of Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada in downtown Toronto.
Participants are invited to collect cigarette butts from surrounding areas and return them to this centralized collection site, where the butts will be counted and prepared for recycling through TerraCycle.
📍 Location: Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada, 288 Bremner Blvd, Toronto, ON
🕙 Time: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM (drop-ins welcome)
🎯 Goal: Visibly showcase collected cigarette litter and build momentum toward the 1 million butt national target
Participants will be able to collect cigarette butts from anywhere in the City and drop them off at our centralized event space, or pick up butts locally at the event site. Butts will be counted by weight and volume and shipped to TerraCycle for recycling.
Event Listings:
Individual Participation: Collect Anywhere, Anytime
Individuals can register to participate in the UNSMOKE Butt Blitz from anywhere in Canada.
After completing a short virtual training, participants can collect cigarette butts throughout April in their own neighbourhoods, parks, waterfronts, and public spaces. All collected butts will be counted toward the national 1 million target.
By combining in-person events with independent collection efforts, the campaign aims to scale impact beyond what a single day of action could achieve.
Turning Pollution into Public Good
Cigarette butts are one of the most commonly littered items in the world. While small in size, they contain plastic filters and toxic chemicals that can contaminate soil and waterways.
Through TerraCycle’s recycling program, collected cigarette butts can be transformed into durable products, including the campaign’s goal: a public park bench.
“Every single cigarette butt collected in April brings us closer to building something tangible for our community,” said Rochelle Byrne, Executive Director of A Greener Future. “This campaign shows how small individual actions, multiplied across the country, can create visible and lasting change.”
Rochelle Byrne holding pellets from recycled cigarette butts that can be turned into new products.
About A Greener Future:
Founded in 2014, A Greener Future is a nonprofit organization committed to environmental protection through litter cleanups, educational programming, and data-driven community engagement. To date, our team and volunteers have removed over 6 million cigarette butts from the environment through the UNSMOKE Butt Blitz program alone.
About UNSMOKE Canada:
UNSMOKE Canada is an initiative of Rothmans, Benson & Hedges Inc. that advocates for smoke-free alternatives, public education, and the reduction of cigarette litter through community partnerships and innovative campaigns. Learn more at unsmoke.ca.
Media Contacts:
Rochelle Byrne
Executive Director / Founder, A Greener Future
📞 705-791-5358
📧 rochelle@agreenerfuture.ca
Brayden Alers
Rothmans, Benson & Hedges
📧 media@rbhinc.ca