Cigarette Butt Recycling
The city of Los Altos installed twelve recycling receptacles throughout the parking plazas in the downtown triangle, where smoking is permitted. Just like any receptacle, smokers are encouraged to dispose of their cigarette waste in the metal bins. Once full, City maintenance crews collect the refuse and mail it to TerraCycle, a New Jersey-based company, for processing.
At the TerraCycle facility, the refuse is processed by separating the filters from any paper or residual tobacco. The paper and tobacco are used in non-food compost, and the pellets are shredded and melted down into plastic pellets, which can then be used to create plastic lumber for park benches or shipping pallets, or ashtrays. The City is excited to participate in this innovative program, as it supports our commitment to reducing waste while keeping our beautiful downtown clean and healthy.
Public Outreach & Education Materials
