Cigarette waste is a major environmental problem, as more than 100 billion cigarette butts are thrown away in India's garbage dumps annually. The filters of these cigarettes are made of non-biodegradable plastic, and it takes almost 10 years for them to decompose completely. This not only poses a health hazard, but also has an impact on the environment.
Coimbatore: On the occasion of World Environment Day, Coimbatore-based Dr Kalam Foundation launched 'GREEN BUDS', an initiative to make household goods by recycling cigarette butts, at the premises under Valankulam flyover in Coimbatore.
Coimbatore District Collector Kranthi Kumar Pati and Coimbatore Corporation Commissioner Prathap were the chief guests.
According to a statement released on behalf of the Dr Kalam Foundation,
Every year, more than 100 billion cigarette butts are dumped in India's landfills. The cigarette filter is composed of non-biodegradable cellulose acetate. It also takes nearly ten years for this component to degrade entirely. As a result, cigarette waste is not only a health risk but also a significant environmental problem.
According to the World Health Organization WHO, there are 7,000 toxins in the waste of tobacco products. Cellulose acetate, an important component of cigarette butts, along with paper and rayon, pollutes land and water.
The chemical substance that comes out of a cigarette butt will be exposed to it for 96 hours and it will release enough toxins to destroy 50% of saltwater and freshwater fish. A report by Truth Initiative, a US-based NGO, says.
Soft toys, pillows, mattresses, mats, etc. are made by recycling cigarette butts.
Private CSR initiatives would provide goods such as pillows and mattresses to government hospitals and primary health care institutions across Tamil Nadu.