For over 4 years, we have organised a dozen events, cleaned thousands of cigarette butts around the city of Leuven and written Healthy Kids Healthy Planet - How to protect our health and nature from cigarettes and vapes, the first science-based book for children aged 7–10, addressing the health and environmental impacts of smoking and vaping. We are proud of our actions, achievements and volunteers.

the growing consumption of electronic cigarettes also poses a triple threat to our planet: a combination of plastic waste, hazardous waste and electronic waste

Leuven Cleanup & Reflection 14/09/2025

We gathered at the Grote Begijnhof, Leuven, to reclaim our public spaces from the traces of Big Tobacco and to open space for reflection, art and imagination. 

https://www.leuvenactueel.be/milieu/milieu/49895/sigarettenpeuken-grootste-zwerfvuil-leuvense-bewoners-en-ku-l

Cigarette Butts Cleanup Action in Leuven 09/10/22

https://www.nieuwsblad.be/cnt/dmf20221012_95174083

Cigarette Butts Cleanup Day in Leuven 19/03/23

https://www.leuvenactueel.be/nieuws/leuven/jongeren-ruimen-sigarettenpeuken-op-in-leuven

Cleanup day with open-air class for children in Leuven 03/06/23

https://www.nieuwsblad.be/cnt/dmf20230605_95000916

"Cigarette butts as litter - Toxic as well as ugly" by Novotny et al. (2011) - This study discusses the toxicity of cigarette butts as litter and their impact on the environment and public health. Link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3088408/

"Cigarette Butt Pollution: A Global Environmental Hazard" by Slaughter et al. (2011) - This study explores the environmental hazards associated with cigarette butt pollution and proposes strategies for reducing cigarette butt waste. Link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3416646/

"Cigarette butt pollution: a review of the adverse effects on soil and plants" by Pérez-Pantoja et al. (2018) - This study reviews the impact of cigarette butt pollution on soil and plants and its consequences for the environment. Link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167880917311601

"Cigarette butts and the case for an environmental policy on hazardous cigarette waste" by Boucher and Friebel (2016) - This study argues that cigarette butt pollution should be treated as a hazardous waste due to its impact on the environment and public health. Link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4799747/

"Toxicity of cigarette butts, and their chemical components, to marine and freshwater fish" by Borelli et al. (2019) - This study investigates the toxicity of cigarette butts and their chemical components to marine and freshwater fish. Link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S004565351930261X

"Roken kost ons land jaarlijks 11 miljard euro en 15 000 doden" Filip Lardon (UAntwerpen) https://www.uantwerpen.be/nl/overuantwerpen/faculteiten/geneeskunde-gezondheidswetenschappen/nieuws-activiteiten/persberichten/boek-lardon/  

Support the team of volunteers by buying our book, sponsoring our events and actions, or simply becoming a partner and donating. Contact us for more information. Feel free to connect us with policy makers, journalists, and people who can support us. binyourbuttsleuven@gmail.com