Summer has arrived and all the beach-goers have probably seen them hiding in the sand with their butts ever so slightly peeking out -cigarette butts littering our shorelines. Most people are aware of the health risks associated with smoking cigarettes. However, they often forget the environment implications.
Many people believe because of their size, they are relatively harmless to the environment. On the contrary, they are tiny little pieces of litter, that when discarded can enter our marine eco-systems, and damage our wildlife and water supply.
You see, cigarette butts are the most commonly discarded piece of waste on our beaches worldwide. It is estimated that 4.5 trillion butts are littered each year, that is approximately 1.69 billon pounds of cigarette butts that end up as toxic trash. Yikes!
Cigarette litter is not biodegradable. They are made of a type of plastic called cellulose acetate tow which can take years to decompose in the environment.
Not to mention, cigarette filters are designed to collect toxins during the smoking process. Therefore, each filter can potentially be compose of up to 60 known carcinogens such as arsenic, formaldehyde, chromium, lead and cadmium.
The impact on marine life is significant. The chemicals leak out of the butts once they enter the aquatic environment causing water pollution and threatening the marine life.
Birds, and aquatic animals often mistake the butts as food, swallowing harmful toxins and plastic. Serious digestive problems can arise leading to death. Cigarette butts have been found in the stomaches of fish, whales, sea turtles, birds and other marine creatures. Gross. I am sure you would not like finding a cigarette butt in your next meal, so I am guess the fish don't like it either.
The Bait Tank, is starting to pop up along different shore lines in California, Florida and North Carolina. It was created for the simple purpose of educating people and having a safe place to discard cigarette butts. Their motto: Save some fish. Feed me butts.
How can one person help to keep our beaches clean? Prevention-If you are smoker, dispose of your butts in responsible manner. Use personal ashtrays , or heat-resistant pouches made to hold cigarette butts safely.
Not a smoker. Educate. Educate Educate the dangers of smoking and the impact one single butt has on marine life and the environment! Apparently, the number one reason smokers litter, is that they are not aware of the environmental effects of their actions.
Picking-up trash along the shoreline can be a method to keep trash, such as cigarette butts out of harms way.
So the next time you see someone littering their butts, politely educate them on the topic or the next time you are having a cigarette think of the fish you could possibly save by butting out the right way.
Danielle Richardet, from It starts with me, has collected 23,918 cigarette butts in 79 days at Wrightsville Beach, NC. Take a few moments and follow her cigarette butt journey!
[youtube oYWBIx0I6Bk 560 349]Sources: Californians Against Waste, Clean-Up the world and River Keepers
My neighbor smokes and I constantly find butts in my driveway and surrounding area, it ticks me off. How hard is it to dispose of them properly?…
Check this out, I think you will like it: http://www.mrs-marine.com/2010/03/plant-tree-with-your-blog-go-green.html
Is it really that hard to put your butt in the trash? Apparently! oh and I will check out the link, Thanks so much!
Yuck! Just like Mrs. Marine, our neighbor smokes as well, and one time when we went on vacation, we came to find all her butts on our side of the fence! We knew they were hers because every single butt had her lipstick on it! Just wrong. On an up note, there was a story I once read about some woman who upcycles the fibers of the filter into clothing or something…? On another note, Is every comment I leave on your blog going to have, “I once read/watched something about…”? 😉
LOL!!! I don’t understand what is so hard about putting your butts in an ashtray, container etc!
several co-workers smoke, and although they are pretty good about their butts, they leave a reeking smoky smell wherever they go. blech.
[oomph.]
I am not saying all smokers are inconsiderate, but many are! I am not a fan of the smell either
I find this so annoying! It’s even more annoying when your toddler picks them up to show you! Gross!! Thank you for being my 200th follower 🙂 I am now following you as well!
Last week, my husband and I where in Atlantic City and took 25 minutes and picked up trash along the beach. We collected many many cigarette butts! I guess your toddler is more aware of his surrounding then some adults….that is a good thing. But gross none the less!
This is a very cute blog. Wow I can’t believe they found underwear too! Very very nice video. I grew up near the coasts and it is amazing what you’ll find although I’ve never found underwear –
Thank you! I love that video. I confess I have watched it on many occasions when I need some inspiration!
Wow, that video is dramatic. Thanks for the info because next time I see a cigarette butt on the beach I am going to make sure I dispose of it properly.
I love that video! I could watch it over and over again! I am so happy to hear that you will pick up a cigarette butt next time you see one! YAY!
Couldn’t agree more. That’s just so gross that people leave them there. 🙂
Very gross!
Powerful video! Goes to show that change can start with just one person, or in this case, with just one family. Thanks for sharing this!
Change really does start with just one person!
I hate it when my daughter steps on those butts at the beach. Yuck. Wish people would be more considerate. Thanks for the follow at Everything Beautiful – following back!
Just imagine eating the cigarette butts by mistake…that would be really gross! 🙂
Hi there – I followed you over from my site – thanks for the follow! I really like your site!
And BOO to BUTTS on the beach!
oh yes, boo to butts!
Great post! I completely agree! There are always cigarette butts and even other little kinds of trash hidden in the beach sand. It’s gross and it’s bad for us and the environment.
Your topic also brings up a question… Have you ever noticed how cigarette butts seem to be the one “acceptable” form of literring? If you drop a napkin, gum wrapper, etc. on the ground people would be appalled and many might even say something, but nobody thinks twice when it’s a cigarette butt. It’s pretty sad!
Lisa
I agree. We need to speak up and let people know it is not acceptable to litter cigarette butts. Hopefully it will eventrally become a norm to dispose of cigarette butts properly! Thanks for sharing, Lisa!
Great post! I often pick up litter when I am out & about but I never thought about picking up the butts also. I’ll definitely inform my friends when they try to toss their butts on the ground or in the lake.
I’m a new follower from Stalk Hop Friday. I’m following via GFC, Twitter, Facebook & RSS. I love reading green posts!
Please follow me back at http://babygiveawaysgalore.blogspot.com/
Thanks!
That is awesome…the key is education! Good for you for taking the time to pick up trash during your day! 🙂
I agree with you 100%. I used to organize stream cleanups in my area and you would be amazed the thing that people would throw into a creek or river! Everything from used tires to washing machines! Following back from the hop, great site.
I can only imagine what you found…..
Thanks, Carmie! Iam not a fan of smoking as well. But I am even less of a fan of the cigarette butt litter! 🙂
People are allowed to smoke. It’s what they do with their cigarette butts that bothers me! And my daughter too is starting to put things in her mouth. I would hate for her to stumble upon a cigarette butt and munch on it…
Oh thank you Adriana!
I am not a fan of smoking myself!
sooooo true!!! seriously DISGUSTO!!!! *gag*
Gross, eh?
smoking at the beach is one of my pet peeves! not only is finding butts disgusting but I HATE having to breathe that air and even more hate my daughter breathing it in!
Smoking in general is a pet peeve for me, but seriously, leaving your butts on the beaches is just inconsiderate!
I just found your blog from FTLOB and it’s awesome. I’m very eco-conscious and sometimes I feel so alone in that regards–its nice to see someone else who cares! Keep up the great work!
~Shannon
Thank you, Shannon! Well, don’t feel alone, there are lots of us “greenies” around!
Why do smokers have to smoke at the beach? I NEVER understood that one. You’re out in fresh air and they have to pollute it! I’m sooo lucky that I rarely see someone smoking! I just can’t tolerate it anymore.
Great post!
Have a great week!
nancy
Thanks!