„Zaļā josta” Develops Infographic Series on Proper Cigarette Butt Disposal

The producer responsibility system company SIA „Zaļā josta” has developed a new educational infographic series aimed at promoting environmentally friendly habits and reducing pollution caused by cigarette butts. The campaign's key message is that making the right choice takes only a few seconds, but its positive impact on the environment lasts much longer.

The material provides smokers with practical solutions to reduce their environmental footprint. It explains the most common incorrect disposal methods and offers correct alternatives. Although cigarette butts are one of the most common forms of litter worldwide, solving the problem does not always require complex or expensive measures – everyday habits are crucial.

The company emphasizes that responsible behavior means disposing of butts only in designated places – ashtrays or special bins. Where such infrastructure is unavailable, a practical solution is using a pocket ashtray, which allows storing the butt until it can be handed over to the waste collection system. Dropping a butt on the ground, grass, beach, or into storm drains is not harmless – such waste ends up in nature and becomes a long-term source of pollution. Similarly, intentionally flushing butts down the sewage system is incorrect, as it affects the system's operation and destroys the bacteria in biological treatment plants responsible for purifying wastewater.

The infographic series was developed as part of the LIFE integrated project „Waste as Resources in Latvia”. Financial data show that „Zaļā josta” last year had a turnover of €21.519 million, a 25.9% increase year-on-year, while profit rose by 0.9% to €1.174 million. The company was registered in 2002 and has a share capital of €1 million. Its capital is 55% owned by AS „CleanR grupa” and 45% by AS „Bao”, whose owners are Jānis Vilgerts (80%) and Māris Kalniņš (20%).