Trillions of cigarette butts are thrown into the environment every year, where they leach nicotine and heavy metals before turning into microplastic pollution. Cigarette filters are made of a plastic called cellulose acetate. When tossed into the environment, they dump not only that plastic, but also the nicotine, heavy metals, and many other chemicals they’ve absorbed into the surrounding environment.
Inspired by the actions of our Portugese partner Brigada do Mar and in collaboration with our local partner Leo not Happy, we decided to do something about this issue in Brussels.
About 240 volunteers spent their Saturday afternoon cleaning up cigarette butts. The group of people, amongst which the team and youngsters of Urban Foxes, collected 270,000 butts in less than three hours.
In Saint-Gilles, Etterbeek and the City of Brussels, 240 volunteers rolled up their sleeves for a clean-up campaign initiated by Leo Not Happy. The collective obtained a total of 270,000 cigarette butts. Many smokers are not aware of any harm when they throw away cigarette butts. Cigarette butts contain many toxic substances. It is not a harmless piece of cotton. We also handed out pocket ashtrays to smokers during the campaign. A great example of leading by example, direct action and a sensitization campagne.
To be continued ;)
