<p>Cigarette butts (CBs) have emerged as a significant environmental concern due to their widespread pollution, their removal, however, is a challenging task that requires substantial time and manpower, as they are often scattered across various locations, including landsides and seashores. Globally, trillions of cigarette butts are generated annually through smoking. The majority of these butts are disposed of via burning or land-filling, which places a heavy toll on both the environment and human health. In light of these issues, this review aims to comprehensively examine the toxicity of waste cigarette butts and explore eco-innovative solutions to tackle the CBs litter problem. Toxicity studies have revealed that the chemicals present in smoked CBs not only pose a severe threat to the environment but also carry the risk of physical contamination through the micro- and nanoparticles formed during material combustion. Moreover, a series of technological approaches have been proposed to uncover the hidden value in used CBs. These include propositions to incorporate this residue into high-volume production items or even directly recycle them. The utilization of recycled cigarette butts offers a two-fold benefit: it alleviates environmental and social concerns by reducing waste and provides a long-lasting solution. This review also emphasizes the necessity for continuous research and development in this area. Specifically, efforts should be made to enhance the performance and scalability of CB-derived nanofiber membranes for more in-depth applications in filtration systems. By synthesizing existing literature and suggesting future research directions, this review aspires to contribute to the advancement of sustainable and efficient filtration technologies.</p>