6355628 - boy scouts folding flag, stock artwork

6355628 - boy scouts folding flag, stock artwork

Recycling Bin: Getting butts out of the ecosystem

  • Sunday, December 9, 2018 1:23am
  • News

Around the world, 5 trillion filter cigarettes are smoked annually. Over 287 billion cigarettes are sold in the U.S. and two out of three smoked cigarettes, approximately 1.69 billion pounds, end up dropped on our streets, parks, beaches and waterways.

Toxic and non-biodegradable, cigarette butts are the No. 1 littered item in the world, poisoning wildlife and children, igniting destructive, deadly fires, and consuming tax dollars for cleanup and disposal.

Terracycle works to recycle items that are challenging to recycle such as diapers, coffee pods and cigarette butts. With funding help from the tobacco industry, Terracycle recycles cigarette butts into park benches and shipping pallets.

And as an incentive for folks to recycle their cigarette butts, Terracycle donates $1 to the Keep America Beautiful Cigarette litter Prevention Program for every pound of cigarette butts they receive.

Information provided by ReGroup, a nonprofit educational group formed in 1989 to develop public awareness, reuse, and recycling benefit on Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula. Find ReGroup on Facebook or contact us atregroupkenaipeninsula@gmail.com.


Information provided by ReGroup, a nonprofit educational group formed in 1989 to develop public awareness, reuse, and recycling benefit on Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula. Find ReGroup on Facebook or contact us atregroupkenaipeninsula@gmail.com.


More in News

Soldotna City Manager Janette Bower, right, speaks to Soldotna Vice Mayor Lisa Parker during a meeting of the Soldotna City Council in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna tweaks bed tax legislation ahead of Jan. 1 enactment

The council in 2023 adopted a 4% lodging tax for short-term rentals

Member Tom Tougas speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Tourism Industry Working Group in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Tourism Industry Working Group holds 1st meeting

The group organized and began to unpack questions about tourism revenue and identity

The Nikiski Pool is photographed at the North Peninsula Recreation Service Area in Nikiski, Alaska, on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion file)
Nikiski man arrested for threats to Nikiski Pool

Similar threats, directed at the pool, were made in voicemails received by the borough mayor’s office, trooper say

A sign welcomes visitors on July 7, 2021, in Seward, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Seward council delays decision on chamber funding until January work session

The chamber provides destination marketing services for the city and visitor center services and economic development support

A table used by parties to a case sits empty in Courtroom 4 of the Kenai Courthouse in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Crane sentenced again to 30 years in prison after failed appeal to 3-judge panel

That sentence resembles the previous sentence announced by the State Department of Law in July

Kenai City Manager Paul Ostrander sits inside Kenai City Hall on Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion file)
Ostrander named to Rasmuson board

The former Kenai city manager is filling a seat vacated by former Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Mike Navarre

Joe Gilman is named Person of the Year during the 65th Annual Soldotna Chamber Awards Celebration at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex on Wednesday. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Gilman, PCHS take top honors at 65th Soldotna Chamber Awards

A dozen awards were presented during the ceremony in the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex conference rooms

Alaska State Troopers logo.
Troopers respond to car partially submerged in Kenai River

Troopers were called to report a man walking on the Sterling Highway and “wandering into traffic”

Seward City Hall is seen under cloudy skies in Seward, Alaska, on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Seward council approves 2025 and 2026 budget

The move comes after a series of public hearings

Most Read