Bengalureans! Firstly, Stop Smoking. Secondly, Even If You Do, Chuck The C-Butts In The Right Bin

Bengalureans! It’s no secret that smoking is harmful to health. And it’s also not a secret that cigarette butts are terrible for the environment. So, while it’s wise to stop smoking for the sake of your health, it’s wiser to at least dispose of cigarette butts in the right manner, if you smoke. Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) is working on a project to ensure the proper disposal of cigarette and beedi butts in the city. Read on to know how you can do your bit to keep the city.

Bengaluru: BBMP To Set Up Special Bins To Dispose Of Cigarette & Beedi Butts

According to a report by The New Indian Express, BBMP in association with cigarette manufacturers is working on a special project to keep Namma Bengaluru clean by preventing environmental hazards due to the indiscriminate disposal of cigarette and beedi butts. For this, the administrative body will soon place separate bins in the city for collection of the butts.

In line with National Green Tribunal (NGT) guidelines, BBMP will work on the scientific collection, transportation and disposal of cigarette and beedi butts in Bengaluru. The administrative body’s Bangalore Solid Waste Management Limited (BSWML) will work with cigarette manufacturers to place ‘dedicated bins’ at smoking hotspots on a pilot basis. Smokers need to dispose of their cigarette and beedi butts in these bins. Cigarette and beedi manufacturers will print disposal instructions on packs of tobacco products.

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Here’s Why It Is Important To Chuck These Non-Biodegradable Butts in The Right Way

A Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) member secretary addressed a letter to Bangalore Solid Waste Management Limited on May 4. In the letter, the secretary wrote that cigarette and beedi butts are made of synthetic polymers. Also called cellulose acetate, this is a slow or non-biodegradable plastic. It’s made by bleaching wood pulp of cotton with acetic acid. While the pilot project will start in Bengaluru, the health department wishes to replicate this process across Karnataka.

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Moreover, the secretary added that tobacco product manufacturers must work on scientific and safe disposal of butts. This must happen through end-of-life methods like waste-to-energy or co-processing.

So, the next time you see a special bin for disposing of cigarette or beedi butts in Bengaluru, make sure you do your bit to save the environment.

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