Cigarette Pollution: Biodegradable filter reduces environmental damage

World
Europe

02:55

India has world's second largest number of smokers and more than a 100 billion non-biodegradable cigarette butts go into landfills every year. Some steps are being taken to provide alternatives to reduce the damage to the environment. Ravinder Bawa reports.

These synthetic cigarette filters contain tiny plastic and toxic chemicals like nicotine, arsenic and heavy metals. Once the butt is discarded the chemicals leak into water systems and pollute. Activists like Dr. Rajat Jain are taking a legal recourse to reduce the pollution caused by stubbed cigarettes.

RAJAT JAIN ACTIVIST, 'DOCTORS FOR YOU' "They should be treated in the same line as any other toxic waste management is being done as we in the hospital have biomedical waste management, so similarly the court should direct all the appropriate authorities that the management of these should be on the guidelines of toxic waste management."

While anti-smoking groups wait for legal process to bear results, others like Vedobroto Roy are working on solutions to reverse the damage caused by cigarette stub litter.

VEDOBROTO ROY FOUNDER, KARMA TIPS "So this is what we make. This is what the filter is. Like we uhh, we open it, and you just take one of them. And roll it into filter. You can feel the seeds. You can actually feel the seeds."

He and his team have designed biodegradable and chemical free filters. When exposed, these filter tips sprout into plants as they are embedded with seeds. Roy uses natural cotton and vegetable pulp to create a absorbent paper to make filter tips for the roll your own cigarette market. Environmentally conscious users like Rahul feel safe using these filters as they are not exposed to chemical infused paper.

RAHUL BIODEGRADABLE FILTER USER "Using those sponge bar which normal companies they sell, they create large pollution. Like I said, I think 100 years, to degrade. Whereas compared to these organic staff, which is degrading in twenty days."

Soon many in India will either have to shift to environment friendly filters like Rahul as the government is conducting a study to ascertain the toxicity of the discarded cigarette filters.

RAVINDER BAWA DELHI, INDIA "As of now, cigarette butt are not considered as hazard waste. Since there are no dispose or rules, they are being littered all over. Once the toxicity is approved, new rules will be formulated and smokers will change their habit. Ravinder Bawa, CGTN, DELHI."