An action organized by
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The great cigarette butt collection from September 20 to 30, 2026
The participatory citizen challenge to fight cigarette butt pollution and protect ecosystems.
Small waste, massive impact
cigarette butts are littered every year globally. Weighing only 0.22 grams, they are the most common form of waste on Earth.
of water contaminated by a single butt, which contains nearly 5'000 chemicals, including 150 highly toxic ones like arsenic or lead.
to decompose. Each butt releases up to 15'000 microplastics: a scourge for soil, rivers, ecosystems, and human health.
of global forest fires are linked to cigarette butts, equivalent to 40 million hectares burned every year.
Sources: WHO, CNCT, FAO
The Water Lover Challenge is 10 days to raise awareness and collect as many butts as possible.
For all citizens and all generations, smokers or not!
Whether you represent a school, a company, a city, a park, or are an individual, the Water Lover Challenge is open to everyone and free!
Organize a collection between September 20 and 30, 2026
Log your collection and win prizes!
Enter your total count and upload your photo via the collection form (coming soon).
Your count adds to the global total, and you'll be entered in the draw to win prizes from our partners!
And on September 20, take part in the Water Lover Challenge 24-hour event!
A day to attempt a world record for cigarette butt collection and launch the challenge simultaneously in multiple countries and cities with widespread support.
Record to beat: 1'024'016 cigarette butts collected
in one day, set during the 2023 edition.
This year, for this special edition, we need you!
Our Sponsor and Ambassador
You may have seen him swim over 191 km for Nature last summer; he is currently setting out to conquer the peaks... For the 5th consecutive year, Swiss eco-adventurer Noam Yaron takes up the challenge by being the voice of the movement in the media and mobilizing his community of over 830'000 followers on social networks.
Our mission: use sport to raise awareness about the importance of protecting Nature.
To send a powerful signal and amplify our media impact for collective awareness.
By finding partners to transform butts into resources and concrete our commitment to the end of the chain.
To launch durably and reflect the global scale of cigarette butt pollution.
They are talking about the challenge:
A moment together to make a difference!
To everyone who wants to commit to preserving the planet from the ravages of cigarette butts. With friends, family, or neighbors. Smoker or not, everyone is welcome. Just a few minutes are enough to make all the difference.
I'm participatingOrganize a collection with your colleagues. Federate your employees around a concrete gesture with a measurable and communicable impact.
Opportunity to become a sponsor and benefit from:
Turn a class into a mini-field trip and a lesson in active citizenship. In 2026, a complete educational kit is provided for each participating institution.
Any questions? Get in touch here!
They are supporting the challenge this year!
