The Municipality West Maas en Waal the 60th Municipality to Join the No Plastic Filter Campaign
Working Together to Combat Plastic Filters in Cigarettes
The municipality West Maas en Waal joined the Fair Resource Foundation’s campaign against plastic cigarette filters. This makes West Maas en Waal 60th municipality in the Netherlands to call for a ban on these filters.
To mark this occasion, the Fair Resource Foundation visited town hall present a plaque. This initiative is part of a nationwide campaign to raise awareness about the damage cigarette filters cause to the environment.
Major consequences for nature and water
Many people don’t know that cigarette filters are made of plastic. They hardly break down at all and cause pollution in the natural environment. A single cigarette that ends up on the ground can cause up to 1,000 liters of water pollution.
Furthermore, according to the RIVM, filters do not make a cigarette any less harmful to health. They therefore serve no useful purpose, while causing significant damage to the environment.
Inspire more municipalities
By signing the appeal, the municipality hopes to inspire other municipalities to join this initiative as well.
Alderman Jan Slootweg: "Plastic cigarette filters don't belong in our natural environment. By participating in this campaign, we are showing that we are taking responsibility for a cleaner living environment. We hope that more municipalities will join us so that, together, we can send a strong message."
Local measures as well
The municipality is not only taking action at the national level but is also implementing local measures to combat litter. Recently, trash cans equipped with special ashtrays have been installed at various hotspots. In addition, residents can pick up a portable ashtray for free at town hall. In this way, the municipality aims to make it easy for residents to dispose of cigarette butts properly instead of throwing them on the street.
Raise Awareness
The municipality also hopes that this initiative will raise awareness among more people about the consequences of discarded cigarette filters.
Lambert Romijnders, coordinator of the litter cleanup brigade in Beneden-Leeuwen: "During our cleanup efforts, we see how many cigarette butts are lying on the streets and in green spaces. Many people don’t realize the damage this causes. With greater awareness and practical solutions, we can make a difference together."