Getting Closer to the Megaproject Problem
Cigarette Litter Recycling
In large part environmental problems exist because we have access to public areas for waste disposal. We can drive a car and emit particles to the air that cause health problems for others. We do not have to pay for the right to dispose of pollutants in the environment. Because of this we emit pollutants to the environment without thinking of the consequences.
Problem Statement
Trillions of cigarettes are smoked annually making cigarette butts one of the most common types of litter in the world. Due to the materials and toxic substances that they contain, this waste carries a very harmful risk for the environment and for living organisms. This is waste that can be found everywhere. According to WHO (2019), up to two-thirds of every smoked cigarette is discarded on the ground. About 73.5% of smokers do not use correct practices for the disposal of CBs, which are often therefore released into the environment.
Solutions
Pick it up
Litter can be picked up by placing small boxes for cigarette litter only in shops, malls, offices and other public places. Shopkeepers and other people can be encouraged to collect litter and sell that for recycling. We can provide ash receptacles at all entry/exit points of buildings, at bus stops, and other areas where people frequently need to discard their cigarettes.
Distribute pocket ashtrays
Many types of pocket ashtrays are on the market. Some are made of foil and are disposable, while others are made of metals, and can be used for years. These can be purchased in bulk and distributed by community groups, non-profit organizations or businesses as part of a litter-prevention campaign.
Recycle
Recycling of this kind of waste would reduce the release of dangerous materials into the environment and to the ecosystems, and would promote the recovery of materials in line with the circular economy and sustainable development. Treatments of CBs will make them less harmful and to give the waste a second life through the production of secondary raw materials or products that are already usable on the market.
Awareness and Education — educate smokers & nonsmokers about the need to dispose of waste properly
Studies show that smoking-related litter can be decreased by 50 percent or more through educational campaigns. Signs, messages printed on packaging, personal messages to smokers, and presentations about the harmful impacts of cigarette litter will decrease some littering behavior.
Awareness will keep more butts off the streets, but they’re still a long way from stemming the tide. Awareness through social media is the most effective tool.
I want to give back to society by playing my role. I plan to do that by partnering with different recycling companies, non-profit organizations and for-profit organizations (who want to do business out of it). I also want to run a social media campaign about disposing of cigarette waste properly.
