Tracking tobacco waste to combat contraband.
This isn't just a cleanup, it's citizen science in action. It’s a research-driven event where collected cigarette waste is documented and analyzed to better understand illegal tobacco products and their impact. A Greener Future has partnered with researchers to analyze cigarette filter waste and track the presence of legal versus contraband tobacco products in our communities. Your participation helps:
✅ Combat contraband tobacco by providing real-world data on illegal products ✅ Advance scientific understanding of cigarette litter composition and environmental impact ✅ Protect local ecosystems by removing toxic waste from our shared spaces ✅ Contribute to policy change through evidence-based research
Every cigarette butt you collect becomes part of a larger dataset that informs tobacco regulation, environmental protection, and public health initiatives.
Event Details
🅿 Free parking: Limited free street parking may be available on Ferguson Avenue North and nearby residential streets south of the hospital. Please allow extra time for the walk and check all posted signs before leaving your vehicle.
🔹 What to Bring ✔ Weather-Appropriate Clothing – Dress comfortably for the conditions. ✔ Closed-toed shoes ✔ Reusable Water Bottle – Stay hydrated while we clean up! 💧
All cleanup equipment will be provided!
🔹 What to Expect
🧤 A hands-on research experience You'll help collect cigarette butts during a 2-hour cleanup. After volunteers leave, our staff will process the collected materials for research analysis, no additional work required from you!
📸 Documentation for science Collected materials are photographed and analyzed to identify filter types and compliance with Canadian tobacco regulations.
🌱 Community impact You'll leave the site cleaner, safer, and more beautiful while contributing to important environmental and public health research.
👥 Friendly atmosphere Join a welcoming community of volunteers who care about environmental action and scientific discovery. Whether you're a first-time volunteer or a cleanup veteran, you'll find your place here.
Register to join this research cleanup and make your volunteer hours count for science. We will never share your email and won’t send you unsolicited messages, we only contact you regarding events you’ve registered for.
About This Research Partnership
A Greener Future is proud to partner with Rothmans, Benson and Hedges Inc. (RBH) to conduct qualitative analysis of cigarette litter in Canada. This research addresses a critical gap in tobacco science by tracking real-world product use through environmental waste analysis, which contributes to broader efforts to understand and reduce illegal tobacco products in Canada.
Key research goals:
Identify the proportion of legal versus contraband tobacco products
Monitor changes in filter types as regulations evolve
Contribute to peer-reviewed scientific literature on tobacco waste
Support evidence-based policy development
Your participation makes this research possible. Together, we're building a cleaner, healthier future through citizen science.
Location: Hamilton General Hospital
Register with A Greener Future
Thursday, November 12
1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Hamilton General Hospital · 237 Barton Street East, Hamilton, Ontario, L8L 2X2, Canada
Venue details →