The breakdown of a cigarette butt in the environment: a long and harmful process

Cigarette butts may seem small, but they are composed of materials and substances that have a major negative impact on the environment. The process of decomposition can take years, and during this time they cause damage to ecosystems, waterways and soil.

What's in a cigarette butt?

Cellulose Acetate: The filter on most cigarettes is made from a form of plastic, cellulose acetate, which is not biodegradable.
Chemical residues: Cigarette butts contain toxic substances such as nicotine, heavy metals (lead, cadmium, arsenic) and tar, which are released during smoking.

Degradation in different environments

The speed and effect of decomposition depend on the environment in which the cigarette butt ends up:

In the ground

In soil, it takes 10 to 15 years for cellulose acetate filters to completely decompose.
During this process, toxic substances leak into the soil, which deteriorates soil quality and is harmful to plants.
After degradation, microplastics remain, which do not disappear and accumulate in the environment.

In water

When a cigarette butt lands in water, it immediately begins to release toxic chemicals.
A single cigarette butt can poison up to 8 liters of water , harming fish, amphibians and other aquatic organisms.
Filters break down faster in water than on land, but the breakdown leads to the spread of microplastics and toxic substances.

On the street and in nature

Cigarette butts that end up on streets in urban areas are often washed by rain into sewer systems and end up in rivers and oceans.
In natural environments, birds and small animals may accidentally eat the butts, which can lead to suffocation or poisoning.

Harmful substances released

The following substances are released during the breakdown:

Nicotine: Toxic to both plants and animals, even in small amounts.
Arsenic and cadmium: Heavy metals that are harmful to soil organisms and plants.
Tar: A sticky substance that can smother ecosystems and damage water quality.

The problem of microplastics

Although the filter slowly decomposes, the materials do not disappear completely. The cellulose acetate breaks down into microplastics , which are invisible due to their small size but have serious consequences:

They are ingested by plankton, fish and other animals, disrupting the food chain.
Microplastics spread through the soil, rivers and oceans and remain there for centuries.

The cumulative impact

With an estimated 4.5 trillion cigarette butts discarded each year worldwide, the cumulative impact of this waste is enormous:

Litter: Cigarette butts account for as much as 30-40% of the waste cleaned up worldwide.
Pollution: The toxins in cigarette butts have a long-term impact on water quality, biodiversity and soil health.

What can we do?

To reduce the impact of cigarette butt breakdown:

Prevention: Raising awareness among smokers about the consequences of carelessly throwing away cigarette butts.
Collection solutions: Collecting cigarette waste with specialized solutions.
Recycling: Develop innovative programs to reuse cellulose acetate and convert it into new materials.
Legislation: Introduce fines and stricter rules to prevent litter.

Conclusion: Although a cigarette butt is small, its decomposition has a long-lasting and damaging impact on the environment. Through innovative solutions and awareness, we can limit the damage and contribute to a cleaner planet.