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On 16 September, the Ministry of Climate and Energy hosted the conference “Reducing Cigarette Butt Pollution in Latvia: Experience, Results and Solutions”, organised by Zaļā josta Ltd. The event brought together representatives of state institutions, municipalities, environmental organisations and the waste management sector to discuss pollution caused by cigarette butts, experience gained to date, and the solutions needed in the future.

The conference focused on the activities implemented by Zaļā josta Ltd. within the LIFE Integrated Project “Waste To Resources Latvia”, the results achieved, and opportunities to more effectively reduce the amount of cigarette butt litter entering the environment. Particular attention was also paid to the extended producer responsibility system, the involvement of municipalities, trends in coastal pollution, and changes in public behaviour.

The conference was opened by Jānis Lapsa, Chairman of the Board of Zaļā josta Ltd., and Rudīte Vesere, Deputy State Secretary for Environmental Policy at the Ministry of Climate and Energy. They introduced participants to the LIFE Integrated Project “Waste To Resources Latvia” and its broader objective – to promote sustainable waste management and more efficient use of resources in Latvia.

Laima Kubliņa then presented the activities implemented by Zaļā josta Ltd. within the LIFE project to reduce the environmental impact of cigarette butt pollution. The presentation covered public awareness and education activities carried out under the project, the development of cigarette butt collection infrastructure and environmental installations, as well as monitoring and research activities conducted in Riga and Liepāja.

During the presentation, attention was also given to research into smokers’ habits and how they changed between 2023 and 2026. Comparing the studies makes it possible to assess changes in public attitudes and behaviour regarding cigarette butt disposal. One positive result is that the proportion of smokers who check whether a waste bin is available nearby before smoking increased by 33 percentage points, reaching 77%.

The extended producer responsibility system for tobacco products and filters was presented by Atis Treijs, Director of the Waste Management Department at the State Environmental Service, and Kaspars Zakulis, Member of the Board of Latvijas Zaļais punkts Ltd. The speakers addressed the operating principles of the system, the responsibilities of the parties involved, and practical aspects related to reducing pollution caused by tobacco products and their filters. The presentations showed that extended producer responsibility is one of the instruments that can help address the issue of cigarette butt waste management; however, its effectiveness is closely linked to how the system is implemented in practice, the availability of appropriate infrastructure, and public involvement.

Jānis Ulme, representing the Foundation for Environmental Education and the “My Sea” initiative, presented trends in cigarette butt pollution along the Latvian coast.

Coastal monitoring shows that cigarette butts and filters account for a significant share of the waste recorded. These data demonstrate that cigarette butt pollution is not only an urban issue – it also affects coastal areas and related ecosystems. Coastal monitoring results help identify problem areas, understand pollution trends, and provide a basis for further measures to reduce littering. During the presentation, the reduction trends in environmental litter achieved in the LIFE project pilot areas were also demonstrated. In the Riga pilot area, cigarette butt littering decreased by 41% as a result of project activities, while in the Liepāja municipal pilot areas, cigarette butt littering decreased by an average of 33%.

Significant attention was also devoted to the involvement of municipalities. Diāna Žilvinska, Senior Environmental Protection Specialist at the Environment, Health and Public Participation Division of the Liepāja Central Administration, and Tatjana Židele, Head of the Bathing Areas and Active Recreation Zones Division of the Environmental Administration at the Housing and Environment Department of Riga City Municipality, shared municipal experience and discussed the role of local authorities in reducing cigarette butt pollution. Municipalities are key partners, as urban areas require appropriate infrastructure, effective maintenance of public spaces, and clear conditions that make responsible behaviour easier for residents. Municipal experience makes it possible to assess both practical solutions for cigarette butt collection and opportunities for public information and engagement. The examples of Riga and Liepāja demonstrate that reducing cigarette butt pollution requires cooperation between municipalities, state institutions, businesses and society.

Later in the conference, Laima Kubliņa presented an assessment of changes in smokers’ habits, carried out by analysing the potential impact of LIFE project activities on public behaviour. A comparison of the 2023 and 2026 study results revealed positive changes in several habits related to cigarette butt disposal. For example, the proportion of smokers who report keeping their cigarette butts when no waste bin is available nearby has increased. These results suggest a possible improvement in public awareness and responsible behaviour, while also highlighting that changing habits is a long-term process that requires continuous effort. The project’s experience shows that educational activities, access to information, appropriate infrastructure and cooperation between different institutions are complementary tools that can encourage more responsible behaviour.

The final part of the conference featured a panel discussion with Rudīte Vesere, Atis Treijs, Kaspars Zakulis, Jānis Ulme, Diāna Žilvinska and Tatjana Židele.

The participants discussed which solutions could most effectively help reduce cigarette butt pollution – stricter control and accountability mechanisms, the so-called “stick”, or public education, motivation and providing people with opportunities to act responsibly, the so-called “carrot”.

The discussion also addressed the role and effectiveness of the extended producer responsibility system, as well as the need to strengthen cooperation between state institutions, municipalities, businesses and non-governmental organisations. Particular attention was given to how changes in public behaviour could be encouraged more effectively and how to prevent cigarette butts from entering the environment.

The discussion confirmed that there is no single universal solution for reducing cigarette butt pollution. Sustainable results can be achieved by combining regulation and accountability mechanisms with education, accessible infrastructure, monitoring and public participation.

The conference provided an opportunity to bring together the experience gained to date, assess the results of the measures implemented, and discuss future directions for action. Reducing cigarette butt pollution is a task that requires not only individual projects or campaigns, but also long-term and coordinated action. To reduce the amount of cigarette butt litter entering the environment, it is essential to continue educating the public, develop appropriate infrastructure, strengthen cooperation among the parties involved, and regularly assess the results of the measures implemented.

Zaļā josta Ltd. thanks the conference participants, speakers and cooperation partners for their involvement, for sharing their experience, and for their contribution to reducing cigarette butt pollution in Latvia.

The conference was organised within the framework of the LIFE Integrated Project “Waste To Resources Latvia” (LIFE20 IPE/LV/000014).