Smoking remains a pervasive habit despite the well-known health risks, including cancer. Along with the health concerns, the environmental toll of cigarette butts – often discarded thoughtlessly – has become an issue. Every year, an astonishing 4.5 trillion cigarette butts are left as litter around the world. To tackle this growing problem, a man named Naman Gupta from Noida has come up with an inventive solution that is capturing attention online.
In a viral video, Gupta reveals his unique approach to recycling these discarded butts into something unexpected: teddy bears. The video opens with a stark reminder of the environmental damage caused by cigarette waste, before showing how Gupta collects used cigarette butts, extracts the fibres, and undergoes a biodegradable recycling process lasting 24 hours. The result? These fibres are transformed into the filling for soft toys, which Gupta ensures are child-safe and certified.
“By making a product that is related to our youth, it gives them awareness that cigarette butts are polluting our beautiful environment. But if we work together as humanity, as one, we can recycle this cigarette waste to solve this problem,” Gupta explains in the video.
Watch the video:
The video was shared by 60 Second Docs on Instagram, along with the text, “Most parents would say cigarettes are not toys, but Naman Gupta from Noida, India has found a sustainable way to recycle cigarette butt litter… into stuffed animals. Gupta and his brother founded Code Effort Private Limited which scans for toxic metals, then processes and treats the product until it’s safe to be upcycled as filling for plush stuffies.”
The video has gained considerable popularity online, amassing over 2.6 lakh views to date. Many users took to the comments section to appreciate the initiative and efforts.
One user wrote, “I love what he’s doing but I really hope they have all the carcinogens removed.” Another user commented, “He literally said they are certified as safe, he’s doing something wonderful, stop trying to find a fault.”
Another user commented, “smokey the bear.”
