Fight against cigarette butts: Action week in Mannheim for clean environment
Fight against cigarette butts: Action week in Mannheim for clean environment
The waste of cigarette butts in urban areas is a growing problem that massively stresses the environment. In order to draw attention to the negative effects and keep the citizens about the dangers of enlightened, several organizations have launched an important week of action in Mannheim.
important action week
from Friday, August 2 to Friday, August 9, the campaign week “Together against Tilt Surf” takes place. This project is carried out by an alliance of the organizations of Surfrider Baden-Palatinate, Rhinecleanup and Futuraum in cooperation with the city service Mannheim. The aim is to raise awareness of the problem of the cigarette butts and motivate citizens to actively take measures to reduce this waste.
environmental and health consequences
cigarette butts are not only a harmful sight, they are also a serious threat to the environment. Chemicals from the tips get into the water and damage water creatures, including fish and amphibians. The toxic substances include polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, nicotine and many other pollutants that have a negative impact on growth and reproduction of aquatic organisms. These chemical compounds are highly toxic and put a significant impact on our ecosystems.
awareness through exhibitions
A central element of the action week is a permanent exhibition at the Rhine terraces in Mannheim. This is intended to inform citizens about the harmful effects of cigarette butts on the environment. During the campaign week, cigarette butts are also collected, which will be presented at a final event on the Mannheim market square on Friday. A plexiglass column will impressively display the amount of the collected tips in order to illustrate the extent of the pollution.
fines and local initiatives
Despite a possible fine of up to 75 euros in Mannheim to throw away cigarette butts, the problem remains. In the recent measures, the city of Schwetzingen has also announced that it is harder against this behavior. There, smokers have to expect a fine of 25 euros if they do not properly dispose of tips. These measures are necessary because filter cigarettes are regarded as highly toxic plastic waste.
closing word
The action week "Together against Tilt Splure" in Mannheim can serve as a model for other cities that have similar problems with cigarette butts. Through the combination of sensitization, exhibitions and strict fines, the organizers hope to raise awareness of the environmentally harmful effects of cigarette butts and to make sustainable changes in the behavior of people.
- Nag