The global scourge of pollution can be witnessed in our seas is well known. We receive a harsh reminder when some of it—plastic bottles, plastic bags, and food wrappers—washes ashore. And recently, one aspect of this issue has been particularly obvious to volunteers who clean up trash from beaches: cigarette butt litters.
Environmental advocacy organizations have advocated for additional bins to be installed, particularly in workplaces, to securely dispose of butts. They have also encouraged enhanced public education about the environmental effects. In order to pay for clean-up expenses, certain localities in the UAE have implemented smoking bans or increased cigarette taxes. Yet, cigarette butt pollution still keeps happening.
Reduce Cigarette Butt Litter at Workplace
You might not be aware that cigarette butts don’t completely biodegrade. Cigarette butts take 18 months to 10 years to decompose after being dropped on the ground, whether it be on a roadway, a beach, or anywhere else.
The same toxins and heavy metals that kill smokers seep into the environment through discarded butts. In addition to contaminating our rivers and killing fish and other species, they frequently wash down the street gutters. Recycling cigarette butts is a crucial part of doing our part to keep the environment clean. It benefits the environment and the community or beach.
Arsenic, lead, and nicotine are just a few of the hundreds of chemicals included in plastic cigarette filters, all of which may seep into marine habitats. Studies show that fish are very hazardous to even one cigarette butt per litre of water.
The ecology is harmed by cigarette trash. The idea that cigarette butts will biodegrade is a widespread one. In reality, cigarette filters are constructed of plastic, which is durable both on land and in water. In addition to being unattractive, cigarette butts contain harmful substances like lead and arsenic that, when incorrectly disposed of, seep into soil and water.
Additionally, there is a chance that wildlife would mistake cigarette butts for food and ingest them, which might lead to disease or even death. Additionally, accidentally sparked flames from abandoned cigarette butts can harm plants and surrounding property.
At the entrances, exits, loading docks, and picnic spots, as well as in the parking lots and along walks of your business, provide ash and garbage cans. Always keep in mind that these belong where people usually congregate. Inform your staff of the value of taking personal responsibility for maintaining a tidy and secure workplace.
Prevention Tips for Cigarette Urn Waste
Educate
Studies indicate that educational efforts can reduce smoking-related trash by 50% or more. Some littering behaviour can be reduced by signs, words placed on packaging, direct messaging to smokers, and presentations on the negative effects of cigarette litter. Like any campaign for public education, the instructional message must be repeated, though. Long-lasting behavioural changes cannot be achieved with a one-time educational effort. We as a society would not allow this littering behaviour if smokers and non-smokers were educated about its aftereffects. Cigarette butts carry carcinogens and cost us millions of dollars in firefighting and cleaning.
Provide Ash Containers
Have “Transition Points” where smokers may put their smokes out of their reach before entering buildings or boarding buses. Afterwards, these containers need to be routinely inspected and maintained. Once smokers get used to using them, you might need to add additional to keep up with the amount of cigarette waste being properly disposed of. More ashtrays are helpful, according to studies.
Start Cigarette Butt Clean-Up Program
The magnitude of cigarette butt pollution and the reasons it’s crucial to reduce cigarette litter may both be made more apparent through clean-ups. To begin with, the butts seldom decompose. 98 percent of cigarette filters are constructed from plastic fibres. Only under extreme biological conditions, such as when filters accumulate in sewage, can the plastic, cellulose acetate, disintegrate.
Install Smoking Bins
Smoking control bins come in a variety of styles. While some are composed of metal or steel and lasts years, others are made of foil and are disposable. As part of a program to prevent cigarette butt litter, they can be bought in quantity and given by organizations serving the community or by private companies.
Cigarette Recycling
Before you gather the cigarettes, make sure they are completely out. Put the trash in a plastic bag that can be resealed, a disposable container made of plastic, a plastic shopping bag, or a rubbish bag. Secure the bins to keep the stench and ash in when you’re ready to ship. Spend some time properly packaging the item so that it will be less offensive to you and anybody handling it during transportation.
Pick Up the Litter
Both paid personnel and volunteers can clean up cigarette butt litter. Employing employees to clean up smoking-related garbage may be quite expensive for a company, park, or school. Additionally, several companies require their staff to clean up trash from parking lots, entrances, and manicured areas.
Key Pointers
- Determine the “transition spots” in your neighbourhood. At these locations, install garbage and ash containers, and make a commitment to maintaining the containers.
- Encourage property owners and company owners to install ash receptacles at locations where their staff members or clients smoke outside.
- Distribute litter bags and portable or pocket ashtrays throughout your neighbourhood and inform locals of their personal responsibilities for appropriate trash disposal.
- Work with neighbourhood community organizations, youth organizations, and school groups to coordinate “adopt-a-spot” initiatives to supplement the routine upkeep of public spaces by your personnel.
Do you smoke, or do you cohabit with or work amongst smokers? Maybe you’re one of our heroes who collect cigarette butts from local streets, parks, and beaches. Regardless of your feelings on smoking, Power Bear Designer Bins are great news for anybody who cares about segregating the garbage they produce. Power Bear by German Distribution LLC is a leading waste bin provider in Dubai, offering organisations with highly advanced smoking bins. You can reach out to Power Bear and find the ideal bin for your organization to limit cigarette butt litter.
Like second-hand smoke, cigarette litter is a by-product of smoking and has an impact on non-smokers. Tobacco companies have made unsuccessful attempts to lessen the negative effects of cigarette litter. Advocates for tobacco control should consider forming partnerships with environmental organizations and provide legislation alternatives that hold the industry responsible for cigarette waste.
