Science Learning Hub logo
TopicsConceptsCitizen scienceTeacher PLDGlossary
Sign in
Image

Discarded cigarette butts

Discarded cigarette butts and leaf litter in a roadside grate.

Cigarette butts are one of the most most common forms of litter in the world and they are not biodegradeable – the filters are made of plastic cellulose acetate fibres that trap nicotine and tar. Butts can take 18 months to 10 years to fully degrade. The used butts are often washed out to sea after been flicked on the ground and a study has found one cigarette butt in a litre of water is enough to kill fish.

Glossary

Rights: The University of Waikato Te Kura Toi Tangata Faculty of Education
Published: 25 October 2019Size: 6.09 MB
Referencing Hub media

Explore related content

Appears inRelated resources
Litter Intelligence

Citizen science

Litter Intelligence

Litter Intelligence is a long-term programme run by Sustainable Coastlines in collaboration with the Ministry for the Environment, Department of ...

Read more
Urban solutions for water quality

Article

Urban solutions for water quality

Urban rivers are generally the most polluted waterways in New Zealand. These river catchments include built-up areas with lots of ...

Read more
Plastics and recycling

Article

Plastics and recycling

Plastic is an amazing material. It has changed the way we store and carry food, drinks and other items. Plastic ...

Read more
The future of plastics: reusing the bad and encouraging the good

Article

The future of plastics: reusing the bad and encouraging the good

Plastics have got themselves a bad name, mainly for two reasons: most are made from petroleum and they end up ...

Read more
Material World – Recycling and biodegradability

Teacher PLD

Material World – Recycling and biodegradability

Below are links to Science Learning Hub resources for primary teachers related to recycling and biodegradability in the Material World ...

Read more

See our newsletters here.

NewsEventsAboutContact usPrivacyCopyrightHelp

The Science Learning Hub Pokapū Akoranga Pūtaiao is funded through the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment's Science in Society Initiative.

Science Learning Hub Pokapū Akoranga Pūtaiao © 2007-2025 The University of Waikato Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato