Earth Day
Earth Day
Earth Day celebrates the Earth's natural environment
Founded by former Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson
First celebrated on April 22, 1970 Earth Day is celebrated in more
than 175 countries every year
What does Earth Day have to do with tobacco use?
Ocean Conservancy provides a snapshot of marine trash picked up around the world during International Coastal Cleanup.
International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) Project
Cigarettes are the most littered item in America accounting for nearly one of every four items collected.
International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) Project
In North Carolina smoking-related products accounted for over 32% of the trash found during the 2007 ICC Project.
Impact of cigarette butts on the environment
Cigarettes are bad for the environment.
Cigarette butts can pollute streams, rivers, and beaches.
Butts are NOT biodegradable
Cigarette filters are made of cellulose acetate, not cotton.
Cellulose acetate filters do not degrade quickly and may last in the environment for as long as 18 months or even years.
Cigarettes as Toxic Waste
Cigarettes contain harmful toxins and can be ingested accidentally by wildlife or even small children.
Cigarettes and Fire
Cigarette butts thrown from moving cars frequently cause deadly fires when tossed into dried grass.
What you can do to help
Hold a cigarette butts clean up
Talk to your friends and family
Reduce, reuse and recycle
Learn and make a TRU change
Want to learn more?
To see photos of the 2010 ICC clean up, visit Facebook Ocean Conservancy, Photos, 2010 International Coastal Cleanup
For more information on visit www.oceanconservancy.org
www.thegreenguide.com/earth-day