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Cigarette butts are one of the most widespread forms of plastic pollution in the world. The situation in Latvia is also alarming – on average, around 120 cigarette butts are found every 100 meters along beaches. To draw attention to this issue and promote a change in public behavior, LTD “Zaļā josta” is implementing a comprehensive public awareness and education campaign within the framework of the LIFE Integrated Project “Waste To Resources Latvia - boosting regional sustainability and circularity”.

Environmental installations in Riga and Liepāja

In 2024, as part of the LIFE project, LTD “Zaļā josta,” in cooperation with the Riga City Municipality, launched an extensive public awareness and education campaign aimed at highlighting the negative environmental impact of cigarette butts.

At Vecāķi Beach, visually proactive environmental installations were set up – giant cigarette butts symbolically "stubbed out" in the sand. These installations encourage passersby to reflect on their behavior and urge them to dispose of cigarette butts in designated containers. Alongside the installations, cigarette butt bins were placed, and information about the harmful effects of cigarette litter was provided.

In 2025, public awareness activities continued in the city of Liepāja. In cooperation with the Liepāja City Municipality, three thematic environmental installations were set up on May 19 – informative and functional installations that both explain the consequences of cigarette butt pollution and serve as disposal bins. The installations were placed in three high-traffic areas where pollution monitoring had previously been carried out and high levels of cigarette litter were identified: at the end of Vaiņodes Street, at the end of Roņu Street, and at 21 Atmodas Boulevard.

Posters and public transport campaign

To reach a wider segment of the public – from youth to adults – educational posters about the environmental harm caused by cigarette butts were developed within the LIFE project. The content of the posters is based on current environmental data and effective communication principles.

This year as well, from August 4 to 17, a large-scale public education and information campaign will take place, aiming to highlight the environmental and aquatic ecosystem damage caused by cigarette butts.

As part of the campaign, informative environmental posters will be displayed at 50 public transport stops in Riga. These will serve as a powerful visual reminder to the public about the importance of responsible behavior in everyday life. Each poster includes a QR code that links to the educational short film "The Path of a Cigarette Butt." The film illustrates the journey of a cigarette butt from a person's hand to the environment, and the long-term damage it causes.

Why are cigarette butts harmful to the environment?

Cigarette filters are not made of paper – they contain plastic (cellulose acetate), which does not decompose for decades and contains toxic substances. These long-lasting toxins include arsenic (also used in rat poison), lead (a known neurotoxin that can negatively affect children's brain development), and nicotine.

When cigarette butts are improperly disposed of – for example, on the street, in the sewer, or in coastal areas – toxic substances gradually enter the environment and pose a threat to both ecosystems and human health, creating long-term risks for the environment and society as a whole.

Changing public behavior regarding cigarette butts

Changing public behavior is a long-term process that can be encouraged through visual reminders, educational materials, campaigns, and symbolic environmental installations that appeal both rationally and emotionally, laying the foundation for a cleaner and more sustainable environment.

“Every initiative that draws attention to cigarette butt pollution helps build public awareness and promotes behavioral change. Behavioral change begins with understanding, and that is exactly what this project aims to foster. We want not only to inform but also to clearly show how important each individual’s choice is – whether a cigarette butt ends up in a bin or in the environment,” emphasizes Jānis Lapsa, Chairman of the Board of LTD “Zaļā josta.”