27 October 2018, Chalatat Beach, Songkhla, Southern Thailand: 20 Trash Heroes collected 15 kg of trash… and then patiently counted the number of cigarette butts. The total?
2146!
They published their findings to social media, pointing out that it is worth not only collecting big pieces of trash but also to pay attention to small pieces on beaches and streets.
This number may seem shocking but if you try to collect cigarette butts on your beach or in your street, you will also end up with a surprisingly full bag.
“We hopefully make a good impact on people and make them walk and clean around the beach. We want to make them aware of their environmental community and take care of beaches,” said Arnont, the Trash Hero Songkhla leader.
What are the effects of discarded cigarette butts?
Discarded cigarette filters are full of dangerous toxins that can easily leach into the ground, the rivers or the oceans. The toxins work like poison for living organisms – one survey found that only one cigarette butt in approximately two gallons of water is strong enough to kill water fleas (source CleanVirginiaWaterways). Cigarette butts can also harm animals or small children, who may accidentally eat them.
What to do with cigarette butts?
After your cigarette, throw the butt into the nearest trash bin. Or get a small tin or pocket ashtray, where you can collect cigarette butts and throw them in the bin later. Completely extinguished cigarette butts can also be used to fill ecobricks.
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We are happy that so many Trash Heroes all around the world care about the environment and don’t want to overlook these small pieces of trash like cigarette butts.
Thank you!
Have you collected cigarette butts and counted them? Send us a picture from your next clean-up!
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