Planet Aware Asks Island Smokers To Bin Their Butt To Help Marine Environment

Planet Aware, in partnership with Ryde Town Council (RTC) has unveiled a trial initiative aimed at tackling cigarette butt litter along the coast.

The aim is to draw awareness of the impact of cigarette butt litter on the marine and coastal environment.

Funded by Sea Changers, the trial area features two ballot boxes where smokers can cast votes on various topics using their cigarette butts.

In addition, there are vibrant seaside-themed posters and banners designed by local graphic designer Maya Malfatti.

It is hoped these will nudge more smokers to think about the environmental impact of cigarette butt littering and to bin their cigarette butts.

Cigarette butts are composed of cellulose acetate, a type of plastic and contain toxins such as arsenic.

They are the most commonly littered item worldwide.

They do not naturally biodegrade and they can remain in the marine environment for many years.

It is not just cigarette butts that are left on the beach that are an issue, butts littered in the street and along esplanades can get washed down the drains and out into water courses and onto the beach.

Marine wildlife can mistake the butts for food, for young children playing and crawling in the sand they are potentially harmful and as other types of litter, they degrade the quality of our surroundings with littered butts attracting even more litter.

The trial was due to run at Ryde and Ventnor in the summer however obstacles in acquiring permissions for placement of banners and ballot bins meant that the trial was delayed despite town council support and will now currently only run in Ryde. 

Positively, Ryde Town  have been able to make the trail possible using their own assets and the trial campaign will run from now through the end of the October half-term and resume again during the Easter holidays.

The aim is then to be able to reuse the posters and materials in another Isle of Wight location as well as continuing  at Ryde.

Planet Aware IW volunteers said:

"We are grateful for the interest shown from both Ryde and Ventnor councils in our efforts to address cigarette butt pollution.

"It is great too business near to the trial area have been supportive. Our surveys showed that at several times cigarette butt littering was over 120 butts per 100m on the beach and over 200 per 100m on seafront walkways highlighting the need for action on this type of plastic pollution.

"Cigarette butts are so commonly littered that it is easy  to stop noticing  them as they become part of the background environment but they are basically toxic, plastic litter that is harmful to our marine environment.

It’s fantastic that Ryde Town Council has provided the necessary support to enable us to fix our ballot boxes and banners and as a key Island tourist destination, it is great they are prepared to lead by example and trial initiatives despite the barriers faced".

For more information on the trial project  to  volunteer with or support Planet Aware contact [email protected]. Planet Aware is a local community volunteer group with the aim of reducing plastic pollution in the marine environment.

Donations can be made online.