Applying ESG in Banking
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In this article, we’ll explain what ESG banking is, why it is important, and how you can apply ESG in banking.
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Why cigarette butts are such a problem
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Cigarette butts: small, seemingly insignificant, and yet the most littered item in the world. Each year, a staggering 4.5 trillion cigarette butts are discarded, ending up on streets, in our water, and across natural landscapes. But what makes these tiny pieces of trash such a huge problem?
Cigarettes are made up of a cocktail of toxic chemicals and slow-degrading plastic, both of which wreak havoc on ecosystems, wildlife, and human health. From leaching poisons into the soil and water to contributing to the microplastic crisis, cigarette butts represent a largely underestimated environmental threat.
👉 In this article, we’ll explore why cigarette butts are such an issue, unpacking the pollution they cause, their impact on wildlife, and what’s being done to address the problem.
Why are cigarettes harmful?
We all know the dangers of smoking - how it can lead to lung cancer, heart disease, and a host of other health issues. Yet, what often goes unnoticed is the harm a single cigarette can do to the environment. In fact, with an estimated 4.5 trillion cigarette butts discarded annually, they’ve become the most littered item in the world, leaving a trail of environmental harm in their wake.
💡 According to the WHO 4.5 trillion cigarette butts are discarded every year. That’s enough to fill 30 cargo ships or 60,000 shipping containers!
At the heart of the issue is what cigarette butts are made of. While they might look like they’re made from cotton, cigarette filters are actually created from cellulose acetate, a type of plastic. This material is slow to break down, taking anywhere from a few months to several years to decompose depending on the conditions. Even then, they don’t disappear completely - they fragment into microplastics, which can stay in ecosystems for decades.
Their durability is not the only issue, cigarette butts also release a toxic cocktail of chemicals. As rain or water flows through a discarded cigarette butt, substances like nicotine, arsenic, and heavy metals are leached into the environment. These toxins can seep into soil, contaminate waterways, and seriously threaten aquatic life.
From beaches to city streets, discarded cigarettes accumulate, clogging drains, poisoning wildlife, and adding to the growing crisis of microplastic pollution. What might seem like an insignificant flick of a cigarette can ultimately cause long-lasting environmental damage.
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Chemical pollution from cigarette butts
Cigarette butts aren’t just unsightly - they’re toxic. Each discarded butt acts as a miniature pollutant, leaching harmful chemicals into the environment. It’s estimated that a single cigarette butt contains residues of over 7,000 chemicals, many of which are hazardous to both ecosystems and wildlife.
When cigarette butts are exposed to water, whether from rain, runoff, or ocean waves, these chemicals begin to leach out, contaminating soil and waterways. Substances like nicotine, arsenic, lead, and cadmium - known carcinogens and toxins - seep into the surrounding environment, creating a ripple effect of pollution. The impact is especially noticeable in water ecosystems, where even low concentrations of these chemicals can harm or kill marine life. In fact, studies have shown that cigarette butt leachates can be lethal to fish and other aquatic organisms within just 96 hours of exposure.
Key pollutants in cigarette butts and their effects:
| Pollutant | Source | Environmental impact |
|---|---|---|
| Nicotine | Tobacco residue | Toxic to aquatic organisms; inhibits plant growth. |
| Arsenic | Tobacco farming and residue | A known carcinogen; leaches into water, posing risks to human and animal health. |
| Cadmium | Tobacco and fertilisers | Accumulates in soil and water; toxic to plants, animals, and humans. |
| Lead | Tobacco and soil uptake | Contaminates soil and water; bioaccumulates in organisms, disrupting food chains. |
| Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) | Combustion byproducts | Persistent organic pollutants; toxic to marine organisms and linked to cancer. |
| Acetaldehyde | Tobacco combustion | Harmful to microorganisms in soil and water; contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. |
These pollutants don’t just affect water, they also seep into the soil. In agricultural or urban areas, cigarette butts can alter the nutrient composition of the soil, making it harder for plants to grow. Nicotine, for example, has been shown to act as a natural pesticide, but in high concentrations, it can inhibit the germination and growth of plants entirely.
With billions of cigarette butts discarded globally each year, the cumulative effect of this chemical leaching is huge. Beaches, city parks, and waterways frequently bear the brunt of this pollution, turning a seemingly small piece of litter into a significant global challenge. Left unaddressed, cigarette butt pollution will continue to degrade ecosystems and threaten the delicate balance of biodiversity.
Impact on wildlife
The impact of cigarette butts on wildlife can be devastating. Across ecosystems, animals mistake cigarette butts for food, leading to ingestion that can result in physical harm, poisoning, or even death. From birds and fish to marine mammals, the effects ripple through entire food chains, harming both individual species and the broader ecosystems they live in.
One of the most immediate threats comes from the physical properties of cigarette butts. Birds, for example, often confuse the filters for seeds or small insects. When ingested, the filters can block their digestive tracts, leading to malnutrition or starvation. Similarly, marine animals like fish and sea turtles may mistake cigarette butts floating in the water for food. Once consumed, the plastic fragments in the filters can accumulate in their stomachs, creating a false feeling of fullness and ultimately leading to starvation.
The toxic chemicals leached from cigarette butts also contribute to the problem. Nicotine, cadmium, and other harmful substances can poison animals that come into contact with or ingest the filters. For example, fish exposed to water contaminated with cigarette butt leachates have shown significant decreases in swimming ability and reproductive success. Over time, these chemicals bioaccumulate in the food chain, affecting not only the animals that ingest them directly but also their predators, including humans.
💡 A 2019 study found that cigarette butts are one of the most commonly ingested items by marine life, second only to microplastics. Ingesting even a small number of cigarette butts can be fatal for smaller animals, and larger animals that consume them in bulk may suffer chronic effects, including organ damage.
Beyond ingestion, cigarette butts also pose risks to wildlife habitats. When discarded in natural areas, they can leach toxins into the soil and water, degrading the quality of the habitat and reducing its ability to support life. The chemicals in cigarette butts can also harm the microorganisms that form the foundation of many ecosystems, further disrupting the delicate balance of these environments.
Each butt discarded thoughtlessly into the environment has the potential to harm or kill an animal, disrupt ecosystems, and exacerbate the already dire challenges facing global biodiversity.
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Fire hazards and broader environmental risks
Cigarette butts are not only a toxic pollutant but also a fire hazard with devastating consequences. Discarded butts are often still lit when tossed into the environment, making them a common cause of wildfires. In dry, flammable conditions, such as forests, grasslands, or even city parks during a heatwave, a single cigarette butt can ignite a blaze that destroys ecosystems, threatens human life, and incurs significant economic costs.
“ ❗The statistics are shocking. Studies estimate that nearly 90% of wildfires in the United States are caused by human activities, including negligently discarded cigarettes. In southern France, statistics from local firefighters attribute 16% of bushfires to cigarette litter thrown from moving vehicles. ”
These fires can devastate natural habitats, displacing wildlife, destroying vegetation, and releasing large amounts of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. The resulting carbon emissions further exacerbate climate change, creating a feedback loop of environmental damage.
💡 One of the most devastating examples of the harmful impact of discarded cigarette butts is the 2012 Alt Empordà fires in Catalonia, Spain. These fires burned approximately 13,800 hectares, resulting in four deaths and significant environmental and economic damage. Investigations concluded that the fires were caused by negligently discarded cigarettes.
Beyond wildfires, discarded cigarette butts also contribute to broader environmental degradation. On city streets, they clog storm drains, causing urban flooding and carrying toxins into waterways. Cigarette litter is a particular problem in coastal areas, where winds and tides carry the butts into the ocean. Once there, they add to the growing problem of marine pollution, threatening aquatic ecosystems and contributing to the microplastic crisis.
The societal costs of cigarette butt-related fires and pollution are enormous. Firefighting efforts, infrastructure repairs, and habitat restoration require substantial resources, while the long-term environmental impacts are often irreversible. Wildfires triggered by cigarette butts can lead to soil erosion, reducing the land’s ability to regenerate and support life.
Addressing this risk requires not only public education but also stricter enforcement of anti-littering and fire prevention laws. Efforts such as designated smoking zones, better access to ashtrays, and public awareness campaigns can help mitigate the problem. However, the responsibility ultimately lies with individuals to dispose of cigarette butts responsibly and reduce the environmental risks they pose.
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What is being done to counter the harm caused by cigarette butts?
Efforts to tackle the issue of cigarette butt pollution are gaining momentum, but significant challenges remain. Addressing this pervasive problem requires a combination of public education, stricter regulations, and innovative solutions that target the root causes of the issue.
Public awareness and education
Public awareness campaigns are critical in shifting behaviors around cigarette litter. Many smokers are unaware of the environmental impact of improperly discarded cigarette butts, believing they decompose quickly or pose minimal harm. Educational initiatives, such as those by environmental organisations and local authorities, aim to highlight the reality: cigarette butts are a major pollutant, contributing to plastic and chemical contamination worldwide. Programs often focus on encouraging smokers to dispose of butts responsibly by using designated bins or portable ashtrays.
Regulatory measures
Governments are increasingly stepping in to regulate cigarette litter through fines and anti-littering laws. In some countries, hefty penalties are imposed on individuals caught discarding cigarette butts improperly. For example, France has implemented fines of up to €135 for littering, including cigarette butts, as part of its broader efforts to reduce waste and pollution.
Additionally, there are calls for extended producer responsibility (EPR) schemes that hold tobacco companies accountable for the environmental damage caused by their products. Some jurisdictions are exploring initiatives that require tobacco companies to fund cleanup efforts or invest in biodegradable alternatives for cigarette filters.
Innovative solutions
Innovative solutions are also emerging to address the problem at its source. Researchers and companies are developing biodegradable filters made from natural fibers, which break down more quickly and avoid contributing to the microplastic crisis. However, these alternatives are not yet widely adopted, partly due to cost and resistance from the tobacco industry.
Recycling programs for cigarette butts have also gained traction in recent years. Organisations like TerraCycle collect and process used cigarette butts, transforming them into materials like plastic pellets for industrial use. While recycling alone cannot solve the issue, it represents a step toward reducing the volume of cigarette butts in landfills and the environment.
Community-driven efforts
Local communities and environmental groups play a vital role in combating cigarette litter. Beach cleanups, urban litter collection initiatives, and public art projects using cigarette butts all help raise awareness and reduce the immediate environmental impact. Some cities have installed cigarette-specific receptacles in public spaces to make proper disposal more convenient for smokers.
Round up
Cigarette butts may be small, but their environmental impact isn't. From their toxic composition and long-lasting impact on ecosystems to the harm they inflict on wildlife and their role in igniting devastating fires, cigarette butts represent a largely overlooked issue. With trillions of cigarette butts discarded each year, they have become the most littered item on the planet, contributing to plastic pollution, chemical contamination, and the degradation of ecosystems.
Efforts to address this problem are underway, from public awareness campaigns and stricter regulations to innovative recycling programs and biodegradable filter alternatives. However, the scale of the issue demands a collective approach. Governments must enforce stronger policies, tobacco companies must take greater responsibility for the environmental footprint of their products, and individuals must commit to disposing of cigarette butts responsibly.
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What about Greenly?
At Greenly, we provide businesses with the tools and expertise they need to reduce their environmental impact. Our suite of carbon management services is designed to help companies track, analyse, and minimise their emissions - making sustainability both actionable and achievable.
With Greenly, businesses can:
- Track and measure emissions: Our platform allows companies to monitor their Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions, identifying where their carbon footprint is highest. This data-driven approach highlights areas for improvement, from operational emissions to supply chain inefficiencies.
- Develop tailored action plans: We help companies create customised decarbonisation strategies based on their unique needs, helping to reduce emissions while optimising operations.
- Streamline supply chain sustainability: By evaluating supply chain emissions and recommending sustainable suppliers, Greenly helps businesses build greener supply networks.
- Meet science-based targets: We provide guidance and tools to align your goals with Science-Based Targets (SBTi), ensuring your efforts are credible and aligned with global climate objectives.
- Lifecycle assessments: Our platform makes it easy to conduct lifecycle assessments (LCA), giving businesses a clearer picture of their products' environmental impact.
Greenly’s user-friendly software combines actionable insights with industry expertise, helping companies reduce emissions, enhance their brand image, and achieve their sustainability goals. Get in touch with us today to learn more.
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