Whereas cigarette butts are non-biodegradable, toxic and have a significant negative impact on the aquatic and terrestrial environment; And whereas UBCM passed a resolution in 2016 about creation of a Cigarette Butt Deposit Return Program which has not resulted in progress; And whereas cigarette butts continue to be a significant source of contamination via litter across British Columbia: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM call upon the Minister of Environment to require a province wide cigarette butt return program or prohibit the sale of non bio-degradable cigarette butts.
Ministry of Environment and Parks Thank you for your resolution requesting the Province to create a province wide cigarette butt return program. In the Fall of 2020, the Ministry published a Recycling Regulation Policy Intentions Paper to engage with key partners and stakeholders on proposed priorities to regulate more products for recycling. Feedback captured in the summary of feedback report reflected support from a range of interested parties, Indigenous partners, and recycling organizations expressing a desire to expand EPR. Unfortunately, cigarette butts were not identified as a priority item and, as such, are not currently being considered for regulation under BCs Recycling Regulation.