noun
gathering cigarette butts; butt collector
Slang term; モク is slang for cigarette. Can refer to the act of collecting discarded cigarette butts or a person who does so, often associated with homelessness or poverty.
公園でモク拾いをしている人を見かけた。
I saw someone gathering cigarette butts in the park.
彼は生活のためにモク拾いをしている。
He collects cigarette butts to get by.
More standard and neutral term for gathering cigarette butts, without the slang nuance of モク.
Compound of モク (slang for cigarette, from 煙草 (tabako) reversed) and 拾い (picking up).