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The Burning Thread is an Indian environmental waste-management initiative based in Surat, Gujarat. Founded in 2022 by environmental science students Jay Mehta and Tanvi Prajapati of Sarvajanik University, the project collects discarded cigarette stubs from commercial areas and processes them into recycled paper, thread, and other products. The initiative operates under the Student Startup and Innovation Policy (SSIP) of the Government of Gujarat, which provided seed funding of ₹2.5 lakh along with mentorship and incubation support. As of December 2025, the project involved approximately thirty student volunteers.^[1][2]

Cigarette butts are among the most commonly littered items worldwide. Their filters are composed of cellulose acetate, a plastic that can persist in the environment for up to a decade, leaching toxic substances including arsenic, lead, and mercury into soil and water systems.^[1] In Surat, Jay Mehta and Tanvi Prajapati developed a collection and recycling process to address this waste stream. The initiative began as a student-led effort at Sarvajanik University before expanding into a broader program encompassing clean-up drives, public awareness campaigns, and the installation of specialized cigarette-shaped collection bins at commercial locations across the city.^[3]

The Burning Thread collects discarded cigarette stubs from streets, public spaces, and pan shops. The collected material undergoes a chemical detoxification process involving alcoholic, acidic, and basic treatments designed to remove toxic substances from the cellulose acetate. The treated material is then used to manufacture recycled paper, thread, photo frames, bookmarks, diaries, and keychains.^[4] According to the founders, the primary objective of the project is behavioral change rather than profit generation; the team has stated that its goal is to encourage the public to view waste as a resource and to reduce environmental harm.^[1]

In December 2025, the Government of Gujarat's Department of Education extended support to the project under SSIP, providing financial assistance of ₹2.5 lakh along with professional mentorship and incubation facilities. That same month, the initiative received coverage from Mathrubhumi English, Divya Bhaskar, News18 Gujarati, and DD India, which reported on the team's recycling process, the SSIP grant, and the involvement of student volunteers.^[1][3][4][2]

The project was founded by Jay Mehta and Tanvi Prajapati, with guidance from Dr. Pratik Patel. Team members mentioned in news coverage include Sanyam Dagli, Lipsa Padshala, Harsh Dholiya, and Jainami Laniya.^[3][4]