You read that right. For every cigarette filter you bury in the soil, you plant an exotic seed – Rosemary, Thyme, Spinach, Basil, Amaranth and more.
While we do not advocate smoking at all, if you enjoy a puff now and then think of switching to eco-friendly filters to help the environment rather than destroy it with smoke and plastic.
How we picked the best products for you
- Material
- Absorption
- Ease of cleaning
- Odor
- Value for money
Karma Tips
Karma tips Are 100% roll-your-own cigarette filters made of natural cotton fruit and vegetable pulp. These filters were designed to combat pollution from plastic cigarette fitters since they are made from cotton, and no trees are cut to produce them. These filters are special in that they release live seeds when disposed of. The seeds of Rosemary, Thyme, Basil, Amaranth, Celosia, Spinach and more are released into the soil. These filters have a high tar and nicotine absorption while being chemical-free. These are completely biodegradable and the only thing a smoker has to do is stick the butt in the soil.
Indian startup Prasadam Industries created Karma Tips.
“What truly sealed the idea was a trip to the furthest extremes of the Arctic Circle in Greenland, where we discovered cigarette butts everywhere. Even on the Ice Cap! We came upon this idea of special filters designed only for hand-rolled cigarettes that can also help fight the littering problem globally. We designed the Karma Tips”, Ved tells us.
Their manufacturing unit is currently set up in We, a small village called Mallasandra, about 75 km north of Bangalore. “We chose this place because we felt that giving the women an opportunity to earn and contribute to their family’s earnings may just help this small farming community repay their debts in this drought-ridden part of the state” ,Ved explains to us.
Greenbutts
Greenbutts is working to end the destructive environmental effects of cigarette butts – 65% of which are dumped each year, making it the most littered plastic on the planet. Their filters are made from an exclusive formulation of natural, food-grade fibres kept together by a starch-based binder, and are a sustainable replacement for cellulose acetate. Their patented biodegradable filter technology has been developed to be compatible with existing filter-making machines, allowing the tobacco industry to transition away from using acetate filters. Tests have shown that the Greenbutts™ filter material can decompose in compost in a matter of days, and break down in water in a few minutes. With no synthetic materials or plasticizers used in their manufacturing process, Greenbutts™ filters are the perfect choice for cigarette companies that must comply with the Single-Use Plastics Directive (SUPD) regulations.
WHY NOT: PLASTIC CIGARETTE FILTERS
The problem
Cigarette filters are a common source of plastic pollution, and their environmental impact cannot be overstated. Cigarette filters are made of plastic, and they can take decades to decompose. The filters contain a range of toxic substances that can leach into the soil and water, polluting the environment and harming wildlife. Every year, billions of cigarette filters are discarded, and many of them eventually make their way into the ocean, where they can be mistaken for food by marine life or break down into tiny particles that are consumed by animals. This increases plastic pollution and leads to problems like ocean acidification. This is a huge problem, and it’s one of the main contributors to plastic pollution. Even those filters that are disposed of properly can end up in the environment if they are improperly recycled.
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The best way to reduce the environmental impact of cigarette filters is to avoid using them altogether. While some governments have taken steps to reduce the environmental impact, such as banning filters or requiring biodegradable materials, these measures are not enough. If we are serious about reducing plastic pollution, we need to find ways to reduce the amount of plastic used in cigarette filters.
There are many alternatives available, such as biodegradable filters or tobacco-free products. Taking steps to reduce our plastic consumption is essential for protecting the environment, and eliminating cigarette filters is a great place to start.