Swedish Crows Are Cleaning Up Cigarette Litter One Butt at a Time

In Sweden, a group of crows is proving that sometimes wildlife can teach us a thing or two about responsibility. According to a 2022 Guardian article the city of Södertälje, near Stockholm, has teamed up with a startup called Corvid Cleaning to train wild crows to collect cigarette butts from the streets. Each time a crow drops a discarded butt into a special machine, it receives a small food reward.

The birds aren’t forced to do it — they participate voluntarily, guided only by their intelligence and the promise of a treat. Founder Christian Günther-Hanssen believes the program could cut the city’s cleaning costs by as much as 75%, while helping reduce litter that poisons the environment. Every year, over one billion cigarette butts are tossed onto Sweden’s streets, making up more than 60% of the country’s litter.

New Caledonian crows, known for their advanced problem-solving skills, are as smart as a human seven-year-old. They even use tools, much like great apes. Because they’re highly social, once a few birds learn the trick, others can quickly follow. Still, officials are monitoring the project carefully to ensure the birds’ health isn’t affected by handling cigarette waste.

The initiative has inspired global discussions about creative ways to protect our planet. While crows may be willing helpers, it raises an important point — if birds can be trained not to litter, surely humans can learn not to in the first place.

Simple acts of care, from recycling to switching to a plant-based lifestyle, can help restore balance to the Earth we share with all living beings.

Video Source: Guardian News/Youtube

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