In three years, environmental groups have collected over 400,000 cigarette butts through their campaign “Baci čik u koš” (“Throw the butt into the bin”), with a record number of 8,500 collected during a recent clean-up in Nova Kapa. The organizations, Čisteći medvjedići and RokOtok, warn that this issue will not be resolved without clear and enforceable penalties for littering cigarette butts. Perica Štefan, leader of the campaign and founder of Čisteći medvjedići, emphasized that cigarette filters release harmful substances that can enter waterways and soil, posing a threat to ecosystems. These filters contain cellulose acetate, a type of plastic, which makes them difficult to decompose and necessitates proper disposal in mixed household waste rather than the environment. The problem of discarded cigarette butts is widespread globally, with an estimated four billion such items ending up in the environment each year. Around 80 percent of these are improperly disposed of, often being thrown onto roadsides or left in public spaces. Štefan noted that while the group had not anticipated collecting nearly half a million butts within three years, the scale of the issue has been alarming. He called for stricter laws and penalties, urging the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Green Transition, along with local municipalities, to take action. According to Štefan, after more than six years of campaigning, they concluded that for some citizens, there is no other option but to face legal consequences for littering. The campaign “Baci čik u koš” was launched in September 2023 in collaboration with RokOtok and Ribafish. So far, over 80 “buttbusting” events have taken place in cities including Zagreb, Nova Kapa, Krizevac, and Varaždin. Large-scale clean-ups were also conducted in Ljubljana, where more than 9,000 cigarette butts were collected near the Trgomer. Symbolic clean-up actions took place in Austria, Zurich, and Gibraltar. During these events, organizers distribute small “butt ashtrays,” which have been given out to over 1,000 participants. For cleaning, they use tools they call “catchers,” and refer to individuals who litter as “eco-inconsiderates.” During a particularly large clean-up in Nova Kapa last Saturday, mostly children aged preschool to primary school participated and collected 8,500 cigarette butts, setting a new record for the area. The groups specifically highlight the presence of cigarette butts near schools, kindergartens, and playgrounds. Štefan pointed out that even if smoking is necessary in these areas, the butts should still be properly disposed of. In addition to fieldwork, the organization runs educational programs. Recently, they completed the project “Ecological Library,” held in cooperation with the City Libraries of Zagreb, funded by the city itself. Students from third and fourth grades of elementary schools participated, learning about environmental protection and sustainable habits through literature, discussion, games, and practical activities. The Čisteći medvjedići invite all interested citizens to join future clean-up efforts, which occur almost every weekend and increasingly throughout the week. They urge smokers to follow the simple rule: “If you smoke, throw the butt into the bin, not onto the ground.” Their message is clear, proper disposal is essential to protect both the environment and public health. As the campaign continues, the hope is that increased awareness and legal measures will lead to meaningful change in how cigarette butts are handled.
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