Sea Shepherd crews hosted 12 events across Australia as a part of 26 total Great Butt Hunt events, achieving the removal of a staggering 9,824 toxic, single-use cigarette butts along with 93 kilograms of additional trash. That means more than 15,000 pieces of litter no longer threaten marine life or leach harmful chemicals into the environment.

Across the nation, the total number removed by all participants amounted to nearly 30,000 cigarette butts. 

Cigarette butts may look small, but they are one of the most littered items on the planet. Many people still believe they are made of paper, but in reality, the filters are plastic. They do not break down easily, instead releasing toxic chemicals into waterways and soil and causing long-term environmental damage. Even worse, marine animals can mistake them for food, often with deadly consequences.

While community clean-ups make a real difference, systemic change is urgently needed to address the issue at its source. We call on local councils and the Australian Federal Government to consider a ban on cigarette butts, to implement more smoke-free areas, and to protect our parks, beaches, and ocean from this pervasive form of plastic waste. 

A massive thank you goes out to every volunteer, crew member, and community supporters who joined this weekend-long event. This outstanding effort shows the power of collective action and reminds us that together we can protect, defend, and conserve the world’s ocean.

Get involved in cleaning up your local community - find upcoming Marine Debris community events here