The journey of a tossed cigarette doesn’t have to end in landfills or pollute our oceans. Through Goumbook’s Save the Butts – Waste to Value campaign and our partnership with Terrax, we’re rewriting the story of this toxic waste stream — turning harmful litter into sustainable construction material.
The Terrax Process
Once cigarette butts are collected in dedicated containers and picked up by our partner ReLoop, they are transported to Terrax — where their transformation begins. Terrax uses breakthrough technology that blends low-grade, mixed plastic waste with fibrous materials without relying on chemical additives.
Cigarette butts, which contain both plastic filters and fibrous content, fit seamlessly into this process. Terrax’s method can accommodate virtually any natural or man-made fibre, making it a powerful example of circular innovation.
A Circular Economy in Action
The result? A 100% waste-based, 100% recyclable product that can be used in construction. Unlike conventional plywood, this material reduces the need for wood-based products, helping to combat deforestation. Even better, it’s produced locally — significantly cutting down the carbon footprint linked to global shipping.
Why It Matters
This solution goes beyond recycling. It proves that even the smallest, most toxic form of waste can become part of a larger solution when we rethink value. Each cigarette butt repurposed is a small win for forests, oceans, and future generations.
Want to see waste differently? Learn more about how cigarette butts are being transformed from pollution to possibility. Get in touch with us to learn how your organisation can support cigarette butt recycling and be part of the circular solution.