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