A World of Difference Through the Butt Blitz
How one volunteer developed her community and learned about herself through litter clean ups
There is no question that A Greener Future creates powerful moments for those lucky enough to cross paths with this organization. I stumbled across AGF online in late 2020 and began following along with their events and initiatives. At the time, I was a recent environmental science graduate, keen on making a difference. I was welcomed onto the team at A Greener Future as a volunteer communications assistant, which later introduced me to the Butt Blitz. Once I learned about this event, walking around local areas would never be the same. Cigarette butt litter was all I could notice. I signed up to be a Butt Blitz Coordinator, unsure of what to expect, and anxious to put my free time to good use.
Photo courtesy of Eilish Neilly.
Volunteering as a Butt Blitz coordinator was an unexpected experience. I could have never predicted reconnecting with childhood and summer camp friends, or even my first-year university roommate. I was surrounded by an overwhelming interest from everyday people wanting to make a difference. It was heartwarming to see those who weren’t the typical ‘environmental advocate’ reaching out to sign up for the Butt Blitz. My eyes were opened to the different groups of people who wanted to help our planet but didn’t know where to start. The Butt Blitz is an amazing program that provides the tools and training for anyone to make a difference.
The Butt Blitz began just after the snowmelt in April. This allowed teams to get first dibs on accumulated cigarette litter from the winter. My team was steadily collecting butts, working towards our team goal of 50,000 pieces of cigarette litter. I was so floored by the achievement of my team and wanted my community to know about the work that we were doing. I submitted some information about Butt Blitz to a local newspaper, with minimal expectations. I was shocked to be interviewed for a newspaper article that was published for Earth Day. I found it astonishing that something so simple – picking up cigarette butts – was worthy of a newspaper article. It was a moment of realization showing that making a difference is not always terribly difficult.
Photo courtesy of Eilish Neilly.
Within my wonderful team of volunteers, I was connected with an unfamiliar face via email. This individual told me that he picked up buckets of garbage every day for years on his walks, alongside his trusty pup. He’s been recognized by his township and received countless awards for his work. He was interested in joining the Butt Blitz to help protect animals, birds, and his local environment. Unsurprisingly, he was my team's leading champion, picking up over 20,000 cigarette butts. It was a humbling experience that such a wonderful individual lived so close to me – and was silently cleaning up everyone’s mess in the next town over.
Photo courtesy of Eilish Neilly.
The Butt Blitz taught me about myself, too. I know that I am a passionate environmentalist with every desire to do the best for our planet. I took my passions and studied environmental science for four years. Ironically enough, I had never done a litter cleanup in my life before the Butt Blitz. Looking back, I now realize how silly it was to have never done the most basic task of helping our planet (picking up litter), which requires no textbook reading or tuition. I would never have guessed how hesitant I’d feel – I was nervous, and a little embarrassed to be alone, picking up cigarette butts off the ground.
No, I wasn’t embarrassed about cleaning up garbage, but I was nervous about the idea of being noticed by those passing by. I received so much positive feedback from the public, with them asking questions about the Butt Blitz, and thanking me for the work I was doing. The moment that I no longer carried embarrassment while cleaning up litter was a particularly powerful moment while volunteering. There is no shame in cleaning up the mess created by others, and until this is a universal understanding, there will be lots of butts for us to recycle! As my second Butt Blitz comes to an end, I can only look forward to what’s to come for A Greener Future.