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From 8 July to 21 July 2026, visitors to the Origo shopping centre in Riga have the opportunity to view the educational exhibition “A Cigarette Butt Is No Small Matter”, which draws attention to one of the world’s most widespread yet often underestimated forms of environmental pollution – cigarette butts.

The exhibition was developed by Ltd “Zaļā josta” within the framework of the LIFE integrated project “Waste To Resources Latvia”, continuing targeted work to change public habits, promote a cleaner environment and prevent pollution caused by cigarette butts discarded on the ground. The aim of the exhibition is to raise public awareness of the composition of cigarette butts, their impact on the environment and to encourage more responsible disposal of this type of waste.

The exhibition consists of three interconnected large-format infographics that explain the key aspects of pollution caused by cigarette butts in a simple, visually engaging and scientifically grounded way.

The first infographic introduces the composition of a cigarette butt. Although many people perceive cigarette butts as small pieces of paper waste, cigarette filters are in fact mainly made of cellulose acetate – a plastic material that does not decompose quickly in the environment. During smoking, nicotine, heavy metals and other toxic substances also accumulate in the filter and, once the cigarette butt enters the environment, these substances can leach into soil and water.

The second infographic explains how discarded cigarette butts affect the surrounding environment. Rain and wind carry them into stormwater drains, from where they enter rivers, lakes and the sea. Over time, the filters break down into increasingly smaller plastic particles, creating microplastics that remain in the environment and can enter living organisms. Studies show that cigarette butts are one of the most common types of litter in the world, with approximately 4.5 trillion cigarette butts entering the environment each year.

The third infographic, in turn, highlights practical solutions for how every smoker can reduce their impact on the environment. Proper disposal of cigarette butts in ashtrays or specially designated containers, as well as the use of a pocket ashtray in situations where a publicly available ashtray is not accessible, are simple habits that can significantly reduce this type of pollution.

“Zaļā josta” emphasises that cigarette butts are not merely an aesthetic problem. They are plastic waste containing substances harmful to the environment and can remain in the environment for many years. Although each cigarette butt is small, their overall impact is significant – they are among the most commonly found types of waste in urban areas, parks and beaches both in Latvia and around the world.

The exhibition’s main message is simple – a cigarette butt is no small matter. Responsible handling of this seemingly small piece of waste is an opportunity for every smoker to reduce pollution and help preserve a cleaner environment.

We invite everyone to visit the exhibition from 8 to 21 July on the 1st floor of the Origo shopping centre, by the escalator near Entrance B, to learn more about the facts and see for themselves that even small everyday choices can have a significant impact on the surrounding environment.