Cigarette Litter Reduction

Reduce cigarette butt litter with these strategies.

Every day thousands of cigarette butts are carelessly tossed onto city streets, sidewalks, and green spaces in Edmonton.

Improperly disposed cigarette butts can harm our environment in a number of ways:

  • They contain chemicals that are harmful to the environment.
  • Fish, birds, and other animals mistake cigarette filters for food and are poisoned by them.
  • The chemicals from tossed butts leach into our water system.
  • They are not biodegradable and can take 1-12 years to break down.
  • They leave the impression that Edmontonians don't care about the cleanliness of our city.

About cigarette litter in Edmonton

Discarding of cigarette butts on the ground is littering and subject to a $250 fine under Bylaw 14614. Please dispose of your butts responsibly.

The Outdoor Ashtray Program Outdoor ashtray

Based on the success of the 2009 Jasper Avenue Cigarette Litter pilot, City Council approved the expansion of the outdoor ashtray program into the following commercial districts for 2010:

  • 104 Street Downtown
  • 124 Street
  • Alberta Avenue
  • Chinatown / Little Italy
  • Stony Plain Road

In addition to the 122 ashtrays on Jasper Avenue and the 80 ashtrays on Whyte Avenue, 323 ashtrays are now mounted on poles for pedestrian use at these 5 new locations.

Universal symbols at each location clearly define the purpose of these public ashtrays.

Help us maintain our Outdoor Ashtrays

If an outdoor ashtray is full or needs servicing, please note its unit number on the upper left corner of the sign located above the ashtray. Dial 780-944-5470 with the unit number and details about what's wrong. The City will service the unit as soon as possible. 

CCCU Personal Pocket Ashtrays

The CCCU personal pocket ashtrays are easy to use. Simply slide the back open and use the metal tray inside to butt out and collect your butts. The City of Edmonton will be distributing these handy containers throughout the summer at city festivals, major events and along Jasper Avenue.

Empty the butts into a garbage can and reuse the ashtray again and again.

What Else Can I Do?

Empty 35-mm film containers make great portable ashtrays and allow you to dispose of butts responsibly. Simply drop, cap and shake!

Inexpensive portable car or patio ashtrays are available at most local dollar stores. If your local store does not carry them, be sure to ask them to bring them in.

If you wish to quit smoking, contact Smokers' Hotline at 1-866-332-2322 or visit Alberta Quits for more information.

 

Proud sponsor of Capital City Clean Up's Cigarette Litter Reduction program.

For more information:

Capital City Clean Up

City of Edmonton
Beaufort Building
2nd Fl, 10835 – 120 Street
Edmonton, AB T5H 3P9

If you need high quality images of any of our posters, contact our office.

Telephone

For Capital City Clean Up program inquiries, call 780-944-5470

To report graffiti, litter, or discarded needles dial 311 (or 780-442-5311)
Fax 780-498-7098
Email capitalcitycleanup@edmonton.ca
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Copyright © 2012, City of Edmonton.