Program started to recycle cigarette butts

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - Some companies plan on launching programs that will encourage people to recycle cigarette butts.

Cigarette butts are not biodegradable.

Beginning in July, TerraCycle, a small business based in Trenton, New Jersey, will provide free shipping so people can mail in butts they've collected. Then the butts will be recycled into plastic pallets.

Some Western Massachusetts residents told 22News this is a good idea but they weren't sure how effective it will be.

Carolyn Brown of Springfield told 22News, “Yeah, I would be willing to pick up cigarette butts but I think it would make more practical sense if they might have receptacles where people can just drop them because I don't think they'll go too far out of their way to make it happen.