Cigarette Litter

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 Jasper Avenue Pilot Pole mounted public ashtray

Many smokers cite the lack of public ashtrays in front of many office buildings, public facilities and in green spaces as the reason they toss their cigarette butts on the ground. A 2007 litter audit also showed that 35.7% of small litter items were cigarette butts in Edmonton.

In response, a cigarette butt litter pilot was launched along Jasper Avenue between 97 Street and 109 Street.

A combination of pole-mounted and free-standing ashtrays were signed and placed at key locations.  This pilot was supported by a city-wide public education campaign.

By the end of the project, the number of cigarette butts in the three benchmark areas had been reduced by as much as 87%.

CCCU Personal Pocket Ashtrays

The CCCU personal pocket ashtrays also make a great reusable ashtray. 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.

When full, empty the butts into a garbage can and reuse the ashtray again and again.

What Else Can I Do?

There is another simple solution to this problem - portable ashtrays. Empty 35 mm film containers are also a good resource for disposing of butts responsibily. Simply drop, cap and shake!

Portable car or patio ashtrays are inexpensive and 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.

The pilot is sponsored in part by

 

 

 

 

For more information:

Capital City Clean Up

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

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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