Canada: TerraCycle''s Cigarette Recycling Program Aims to Double First-year Results

Source from:  Solid Waste & Recyecling  07/03/2013

TerraCycle's successful Cigarette Waste Brigade campaign is starting its second year after collecting more than five million cigarette filters in its first year.

TerraCycle and Imperial Tobacco Canada partnered in 2012 to recycle the butts, inner foil, outer wrap, unused tobacco, ashes and other elements that comprise cigarette waste - the most littered item in Canada and worldwide.

As a result, close to 50,000 people and more than 100 organizations banded together to recycle more than five million cigarette filters in the first year of the program. Today, TerraCycle released information on support from Imperial Tobacco Canada and Terracycle's plans for 2013, which includes the goal of surpassing the milestone of 10 million filters collected and recycled.

"Several years ago, in the spirit of our vision of eliminating the very idea of garbage, we set our sights on tackling cigarette waste," says Toronto entrepreneur Tom Szaky in a June 19, 2013 statement to media. "Cigarettes butts are one of the planet's most ubiquitous waste streams. We are delighted that Imperial Tobacco Canada and its employees shared our dream to provide Canadians with an alternative to cigarette waste. With such a successful first year under our belts, we're urging all Canadians to consider joining us in 2013."

The cigarette program also incentivizes Canadians by offering money for each pound of cigarette waste collected that can be directed to registered charities, and by making plastic products from the collected tobacco-related waste.

Cigarette filters and packaging are recycled into various plastic products for industrial use such as plastic pallets while the ash, leftover paper and tobacco are composted according to industry guidelines.  The profits from the sale of the plastic products are then re-invested into the social enterprise, allowing it to grow its national and international programs. The company's revenues are expected to reach $18 millionin 2013.

By making plastic products from recycled cigarette waste, the program not only reduces the amount of litter in Canada, but also reduces the need to employ wood or virgin plastic in the production of common industrial pallets.

"We're committed to working with consumers, employees and our partners to forge a tobacco industry that continually improves its performance in the area of corporate social responsibility," says Marie Polet, CEO and President at Imperial Tobacco Canada in the joint statement. "We are honoured and privileged to support the Cigarette Waste Brigade program." Enditem