Remove from the ground over 50 thousand cigarette butts, equal to 200 kilograms, in 100 appointments throughout Italy, of which 11 in Campania. It is with this ambitious goal that Plastic Free Onlus, the volunteer organization committed since 2019 to combating plastic pollution, celebrates Environment Day 2023 on the weekend of June 3-4.
The aim is to raise awareness among all citizens, especially smokers, about the correct disposal and the risks associated with pollution and health of the uncivilized act of throwing cigarette butts on the ground. Plastic Free volunteers will be in action on Saturday 3rd in Caivano and Casalnuovo di Napoli (NA) and Sunday 4th in Alife, Alvignano and Teano (CE), Naples, Brusciano, Forio, Mariglianella, Pomigliano d'Arco, Somma Vesuviana (NA).
“In Italy, it is estimated that 14 billion cigarette butts end up in the environment every year,” says Luca De Gaetano, president of Plastic Free Onlus. “Inside each one there are 4.000 chemical substances, many of which are toxic and carcinogenic, including arsenic, formaldehyde, ammonia, hydrocyanic acid and nicotine. These toxins seriously damage marine ecosystems and also represent a risk for the little ones who, unknowingly, can put a cigarette butt left on the ground in a park or on a beach in their mouths.”
It is estimated that about 65% of smokers do not dispose of cigarette butts properly, so today a large amount invades rivers, coasts and beaches inevitably ending up in the sea. Mistaken for food, they are swallowed by birds, fish, turtles and other marine animals, which can even die due to poisoning by toxins or suffocation. Furthermore, the nanoplastics contained within them have a negative impact on the food chain. Suffice it to say that the amount of fine dust produced by a locomotive is equal to that released by 5 cigarettes in the same period of time.
Article published on 2 June 2023 - 13:20
