Why Surfrider organize this cigarette butts
cOLLECTION in all europe ?
Cigarette butts are more than just litter, they pose a significant threat to our environment.
Here's why :
Degradation
Wind and rain carry cigarette butts into waterways, reaching our oceans. The cellulose acetate filters, essentially plastic, degrade into micro and nano particles, harming ecosystems. These chemicals leach into the ocean, posing a threat to marine life.
Biodegradability Myth
The tobacco industry has normalized littering cigarette butts through advertising, yet they are ecotoxic waste. Even "biodegradable" butts pollute as they degrade, dispersing toxins. It takes over a decade for one butt to decompose.
New Challenges
Wind and rain carry cigarette butts into waterways, reaching our oceans. The cellulose acetate filters, essentially plastic, degrade into micro and nano particles, harming ecosystems. These chemicals leach into the ocean, posing a threat to marine life.
The tobacco industry has normalized littering cigarette butts through advertising, yet they are ecotoxic waste. Even "biodegradable" butts pollute as they degrade, dispersing toxins. It takes over a decade for one butt to decompose.
Surfrider suggests burning cigarette butts since recycling them is tricky due to their toxicity and concerning new smoking habits, like using e-cigarettes with lithium batteries, collecting these items separately and banning disposable e-cigarettes.
