No, crows aren’t cleaning up cigarette butts in Sweden
Crow intelligence couldn't be harnessed for urban cleanup.
1Crow Intelligence
Crows possess cognitive abilities comparable to great apes. They can count, recognize human faces, and use improvised tools. This intelligence makes them an attractive option for various innovative projects, including urban cleanup initiatives.
2Corvid Cleaning Project
In 2022, Hans Christian Hanssen presented the 'Corvid Cleaning' project during Södertälje's Science Week. The idea was to train crows to pick up cigarette butts and deposit them in special bins in exchange for seeds. The concept gained significant media attention.
3Media Coverage
The project was widely covered by news outlets and social media. A 2024 study even suggested it had 'the potential to revolutionize urban waste management.' However, the project failed to achieve the expected progress and ultimately stalled.
4Project's Demise
Corvid Cleaners filed for bankruptcy in 2025. The exact reasons for its failure remain unclear, but ethical concerns and public reception likely played a role. The health of the crows and the project's acceptability became points of debate.
5Similar Initiatives
In 2018, a French theme park trained crows to pick up trash. Such projects highlight the potential of animal intelligence but also raise ethical questions. Is it right to make animals clean up human waste?
6Environmental Impact
Cigarette butts are discarded at a rate of 4.5 trillion annually, a number that continues to rise. They persist in the environment for decades, releasing harmful chemicals. Whether with crows or not, this pollution issue demands urgent attention.
Original article: Popular Science — İsveç'te kargalar sigara izmaritlerini toplamıyor