Cigarettes butt littering: The story of the world’s most littered item from the perspective of pollution, remedial actions, and policy measures

• Published in: Journal of hazardous materials 2023-07, Vol.453, p.131387-131387, Article 131387
• Main Authors: Vanapalli, Kumar Raja, Sharma, Hari Bhakta, Anand, Shaivya, Ranjan, Ved Prakash, Singh, Hemant, Dubey, Brajesh K., Mohanty, Bijayananda
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: affordability; biodegradability; biofilm; bitumen; cellulose; Cellulose acetate; Cigarette filter; cigarettes; concrete; economic valuation; ecotoxicology; Environmental Pollution; Hazardous Substances; issues and policy; Marine litter; Microplastic; Policy; pollution; producer responsibility; pulp; Smoking; Tobacco Products; toxic substances; Urban litter; Waste management
• ISSN: 0304-3894; 1873-3336
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.131387

Cigarettes butt (CB) is one of the most littered items on the planet. This paper critically analyzes the factors responsible for CB littering, and associated environmental ramifications, and reviews all the possible technical, behavioural, and policy-based solutions. Even while smoking has declined globally, middle-income nations have seen an increase in consumption, which may be related to increased affordability and a lack of public awareness. The smokers’ individual beliefs and habits, environmental ignorance, covert littering as a result of social taboos associated with smoking, and behavioural gaps between intention and action might all be contributing factors to CBs' littering behaviour. The low biodegradability of cellulose acetate filters and toxic chemical leaching from CBs are the most important aspects of CB environmental toxicity. The small size and low economic value of CB contribute to the inefficiencies of current waste collection and management systems. The current research on CB valorisation includes fired-clay bricks, asphalt concrete, biofilms, sound absorber, cellulose pulp, pesticides, and insecticides as downstream mitigation strategies. This study highlights the urgent need for policymakers to enforce regulations enabling innovative cigarette designs, the creation of deposit-refund schemes, extended producer responsibility and stringent waste collection mechanisms. Adopting gentler marketing strategies and non-confrontational behavioural nudges could result in an overall reduction in CB pollution. [Display omitted] •Cigarette Butts (CB) are one of the most littered items on the planet.•Low biodegradability and toxic chemical leaching are major problems of CB littering.•Smokers’ rebellious attitude, unawareness act as behavioural cues for CB littering.•Innovative cigarette design, EPR, and stringent collection can solve the problem.•Gentle marketing strategies and non-confrontational behavioural nudges are essential.