Some of you might remember that in 2019, I created and ran a program called, “Bucks for Butts”, which paid people to pick up cigarette butts for cash. (My targeted group of workers were the homeless, but it could be anyone.)

I sometimes miss those days when I thought I could make a lasting difference for my homeless neighbors with creative, direct support. But, that time has passed for me, so I offer a “how-to” here, should anyone want to pick up the program and run with it. (Don’t get me wrong; I had a blast trying. I just ran out of desire.)

WHY CIGARETTE BUTTS: Like recyclable cans and bottles, cigarette butts are discrete units that can be counted individually. Unlike cans and bottles, in states with bottle redemption, they are plentiful. By number, cigarette butts are the #1 littered plastic in the world. There are something like 4.5 trillion individual butts littering our world.

WHAT MAKES IT GREEN: Also like cans and bottles, the butts can be recycled, which is what makes the program truly green. TerraCycle offers free cigarette butt recycling. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVbKS-VMJuI]

SIMPLE STEPS:

1. SET UP SHOP – find an outdoor location to redeem butts for cash.
   a. Butts reek- outside is best
   b. Homeless folks need some cash to navigate: paying for a replacement license, bus fare, buying a small gift for a birthday present, etc. You might hesitate that they will use it for alcohol or drugs. They might. However, the money is earned and can be used however they want to use it, just like everyone else.
   c. My location was next to a managed old shipping container where the homeless had free storage for up to two suitcases. Lots of traffic.
2. “COUNT” – I counted by weight, using a postal scale. It was a good method, except wet cigarettes weigh double what dry butts weigh. If I were to do it again, I’d measure by volume.
3. REDEEM – I tested a variety of payment amounts and limits over the 7 weeks. I settled at $1.00/oz, a penny a butt, with a $25.00 limit/day.
4. PACK & SHIP – I double bagged the butts, put them in a sturdy box, affixed the free shipping label from TerraCycle, and dropped them off at UPS.
5. SECURITY – I didn’t have formal security, but there were guys around who looked after me. (Ex-cons are excellent at reading the environment.) I closed shop the day one of those guys stood outside my condo complex waiting for me and insisted on escorting me and a friend to and from the container. There had been rumors I was to be robbed. If I were to do it again, I would have security.
6. RESULTS – The final numbers were: 7 weeks, 218 pounds of butts recycled (approximately 289,000 butts), $4,414 paid to the collectors who were either homeless or low income.

I’d love to see someone or some group take this on. It makes a huge difference to the environment and those redeeming the butts.

Good luck!

FB 8/24/22