Small Butt, BIG Impact
As one of the smallest pieces of litter, cigarette litter represents over 20% of litter collected
during community cleanup initiatives. Most cigarette butts are NOT biodegradable!
Cigarette filters contain a cellulose acetate in the form of a fiber that is similar looking to
cotton thread. This acetate degrades in the environment very slowly, possibly many years.
Due to its size, cigarette litter is easily carried away into storm sewer systems during
rainstorms. Additionally, they are the most difficult to pick up during cleanup initiatives
due to their size, and in return become one of the most expensive litter items to clean up.
Why Do People Litter?
• Most people who smoke, do not tolerate littering, but seem to overlook the littering of
their cigarette butts due to their size. No matter what the size, litter is still litter.
• Most people tend to toss their cigarette butts onto the ground because there may already
be existing cigarette butts. This will not exempt you from local littering ordinances. Be the
leader, not the follower.
• Because there are no ash receptacles to properly manage the cigarette butts.
How Dangerous is Cigarette Litter?
• A motorist in a San Diego County flicked a cigarette butt out of his window onto the
median of interstate 8, eventually sparking a fire that burned 10,000+ acres, destroying 16
homes, and charring 64 vehicles.
