Brooklyn’s Cigarette Waste Problem Starts on the Sidewalk

Community-funded cigarette disposal stations reducing litter across Brooklyn neighborhoods.

The The Trash Foundation is launching a borough-wide Cigarette Disposal Program to combat one of New York City’s most common forms of litter: cigarette butts.

With support from Antonio Reynoso and $2,500 in FY26 discretionary funding from the Brooklyn Borough President’s Office, we are installing custom cigarette disposal receptacles at bars, bodegas, restaurants, music venues, and community businesses throughout Brooklyn.

Each dispenser helps:

  • Reduce sidewalk litter and toxic runoff

  • Prevent cigarette waste from entering storm drains and waterways

  • Improve neighborhood cleanliness and public hygiene

  • Build visible community partnerships through sponsorships

Cigarette Butts Are the #1 Form of Litter in NYC

Cigarette filters are made from plastic cellulose acetate and can take years to break down. In dense urban neighborhoods like Bushwick, Williamsburg, Bed-Stuy, and Downtown Brooklyn, thousands of cigarette butts accumulate on sidewalks, tree pits, and storm drains every day.

These filters release:

Toxic chemicals, heavy metals, microplastics, nicotine residue

When it rains, cigarette waste is washed into New York waterways including the East River and Hudson River.

How it Works

The The Trash Foundation installs custom-designed cigarette disposal receptacles outside participating local businesses and high-foot-traffic areas throughout Brooklyn.

Each receptacle:

  • Features sponsor branding or neighborhood artwork

  • Encourages proper cigarette disposal

  • Reduces sidewalk litter and street sweeping burden

  • Supports cleaner commercial corridors

  • Helps divert cigarette waste from landfills

Participating businesses include:

  • Bars

  • Restaurants

  • Coffee shops

  • Music venues

  • Bodegas

  • Community gathering spaces

Weekly Collection & Recycling

Cigarette waste collected through the program is picked up weekly by The Trash Foundation and sorted for responsible disposal.

Whenever possible, collected cigarette butts and packaging materials are sent to TerraCycle through specialized cigarette waste recycling programs to help divert waste from landfills and reduce environmental impact.

By partnering with TerraCycle, the program aims to:

  • Reduce landfill waste

  • Prevent toxic cigarette filters from entering waterways

  • Recover hard-to-recycle materials

  • Promote circular waste solutions in urban communities

  • Track measurable environmental diversion data for sponsors and community reporting

The program also allows participating businesses and sponsors to contribute directly to visible, neighborhood-level sustainability infrastructure while supporting cleaner streets across Brooklyn.

Apply for a cigarette bin

If you are a local business owner and are interested in partnering with us on this project, please reach out here!