In New Orleans, the first of 50 cigarette-butt recycling receptacles was installed Monday. Developers say New Orleans is the first U.S. city to participate in a large-scale recycling effort launched in Canada last year. Program developer TerraCycle Inc. says the first citywide receptacles were placed in Vancouver in November. "Globally we have collected 25 million butts since November of 2012," said company spokesman Albe Zakes. Officials with the New Orleans Downtown Development District said joining the program was a no-brainer. Smokers flock to curbside trash bins and public benches for nicotine fixes, and smoking is still allowed in bars that do not serve food. The downtown area is just blocks from the French Quarter and is home to the huge Harrah's Casino. TerraCycle says New Orleans will be paid $4 for each pound of cigarette waste collected. The tobacco and paper are composted. Cigarette filters are made of cellulose acetate, a plastic. Once collected, they are shredded and bio-toxins removed with the use of gamma radiation.