30/11/2025
Sweden has begun training wild crows to collect litter — especially cigarette butts — in exchange for food rewards. A special machine recognizes when a crow drops a piece of trash inside. Once detected, the device releases a small snack, creating a cycle of motivated cleaning.
Crows are among the most intelligent birds on Earth, capable of recognizing faces, solving puzzles, and using tools. Researchers realized that instead of fighting urban litter alone, they could enlist these natural problem-solvers to work alongside humans. The results have been impressive: the birds efficiently gather trash in parks, plazas, and public walkways.
This approach could save cities millions in cleaning costs and reduce toxic cigarette waste, which is a major pollutant for soil and water ecosystems. It also opens the door to more cooperation between wildlife and urban environments, proving that sustainability doesn't always require high-tech machines — sometimes, nature already has the perfect helpers.
Sweden's crow workforce shows that environmental innovation can be as imaginative as it is effective.
