Half a million cigarette butts collected and counting: A Greener Future invites volunteers across Canada to help reach one million
Join the flagship World Cleanup Day cleanup at Toronto’s Harbourfront Centre on September 20, attend another September event, or participate independently in your own community.
TORONTO, September 12, 2026
A Greener Future is inviting volunteers across Canada to help remove cigarette litter this September as its UNSMOKE Butt Blitz passes the halfway mark toward collecting one million cigarette butts in 2026.
Delivered with support from UNSMOKE CANADA, the campaign has recorded 509,008 cigarette butts across its April and September efforts. Volunteers can help close the remaining gap by joining a scheduled cleanup or registering to collect independently anywhere in Canada, at no cost.
World Cleanup Day at Harbourfront Centre
The month’s flagship event takes place at Harbourfront Centre in Toronto on Sunday, September 20, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Volunteers will meet at the North Orchard, 235 Queens Quay West, with cleanup supplies provided.
Volunteers are invited to help care for Toronto’s waterfront, meet fellow volunteers and make World Cleanup Day count. Media are welcome to attend and arrange an interview with AGF founder and executive director Rochelle Byrne.
Register for Harbourfront Centre →
There are other cleanups throughout September, too. Find an upcoming event or participate independently anywhere in Canada.
“Volunteers often tell us they didn’t notice many cigarette butts before a cleanup. Once they start looking, they can’t stop seeing them. Cigarette butts are the item we pick up most often. They’re small enough to overlook, but together they add up to a substantial amount of litter.”
Small actions, visible results
In a recent 10-minute collection challenge, AGF staff picked up nearly 250 cigarette butts each, enough to fill one of the campaign’s small buckets. Results vary by location, but even a short cleanup can make a difference.
Cigarette filters typically contain cellulose acetate, a type of plastic, which can break into smaller particles in the environment. The Butt Blitz helps remove this litter while recording where it is found.
AGF’s approach is practical and nonjudgmental: welcome smokers and nonsmokers to participate, encourage responsible disposal and support accessible disposal options.
Participate anywhere in Canada for free
No event nearby? Volunteers can register online and collect in their own communities, on their own schedules, throughout September.
Register and learn the basics. An automatic email links to a five-minute training covering safe collection and how to participate.
Collect safely. Use suitable gloves or a litter picker and a reusable container, such as an old yogurt tub. You can use supplies you already have.
Make your count count. After each cleanup, submit the date, location, time spent and number of cigarette butts collected. Contributions appear on the live dashboard.
Send them for recycling. A Greener Future can provide a prepaid shipping label. Pack the collected cigarette waste according to the instructions, print the label and drop the box off at UPS for delivery to TerraCycle.
Register as an individual participant →
One million collected, a lasting community reminder
With 509,008 cigarette butts recorded, the campaign has 490,992 to go toward its one-million goal for 2026.
To celebrate reaching that milestone, AGF plans to install a bench made from recycled cigarette butts through TerraCycle.
Once the goal is reached, volunteers will be invited to vote among approved installation locations. The bench will recognize their collective effort and serve as a lasting reminder to keep cigarette litter out of the environment.
More September cleanups
Alongside the Harbourfront Centre flagship event, volunteers can join other scheduled cleanups throughout the month. Choose a local event below or view the full campaign calendar.
Help us collect the next half-million
Join a cleanup, register to collect independently, or share the campaign with a friend, neighbour or coworker. Every cigarette butt removed helps protect water and create a cleaner community.
About A Greener Future
Founded in 2014, A Greener Future is a nonprofit environmental organization that brings communities together through litter cleanups, education and data collection. It has run the Butt Blitz since 2015, helping volunteers remove cigarette litter and encourage responsible disposal.
About UNSMOKE CANADA
UNSMOKE CANADA is an initiative of Rothmans, Benson & Hedges. Learn more at unsmoke.ca.
Media contacts
Rochelle Byrne is available for interviews about cigarette litter, the Butt Blitz and ways volunteers across Canada can participate. Contact AGF to arrange an interview or coverage of the Harbourfront Centre event.
Rochelle Byrne
Founder and Executive Director, A Greener Future
705-791-5358
rochelle@agreenerfuture.ca
Nino Kolta
Communications Coordinator, A Greener Future
647-919-5855
nino@agreenerfuture.ca
