This is not my idea, but I like it.

We have all seen cigarette butts here, there, and everywhere. Disgusting.

So what if there was  a one cent (or even two cent) redemption value to a cigarette filter? The initial cost would be a surcharge to a pack or carton. Collected butts could be returned to recycling centers for proper disposal for half the surcharge and the returnee receive the other half. Making cigarette butts “valuable” would give collectors a monetary reward and put a financial burden of responsibility on smokers for carelessly disposing of their finished coffin nail.

This is a real environmental concern. Most discarded cigarette butts are washed into city drains and sewers and contaminate water supplies and habitat. This simple idea would greatly reduce the concentrated carcinogens in the butts from entering the food chain while cleaning up parks, sidewalks, and pathways.

Picked this up in today’s letter section of the SF Chronicle . . . there were two letters advocating the idea. The idea may not be particularly “new” but it was the first I had heard of it and I think it puts the responsibility of proper disposal on the right person, And if two cents isn’t deemed “enough” make it a nickel. a penny for proper disposal and four cents to the returnee . . . or two cents and three cents . . . whatever it takes. A worthy and brilliant idea, tip of the hat to whoever first had it.