With trillions of cigarettes producing "1.2 million tonnes" of cigarette litter each year, this toxic waste is full of harmful chemicals that negatively impacts the environment, people and animals. Researchers at RMIT have found a solution to this issue in the form of "cigarette butt-bricks."
Dr. Abbas Mohajerani discovered that by using cigarette butts to make clay-fire bricks, this process traps the pollutants and toxic chemicals inside the butts and prevents them from leaking out into the environment. The process of encapsulating cigarette litter into bricks is also more friendly to the environment as it cuts down on the energy needed to fire the bricks by 58 percent.
The bricks created by these researchers are lighter, better insulators, more energy efficient, cheaper to produce and prevent chemicals such as arsenic from leaking out and damaging the environment -- all while finding use for the toxic litter produced by cigarettes.
Cigarette Butt Bricks
Researchers Have Discovered an Unusual Way to Cut Down on Cigarette Litter
Trend Themes
1. Cigarette Butt-bricks - Dr. Abbas Mohajerani has discovered an innovative and eco-friendly way of recycling cigarette butts by creating lighter, better insulating and more energy efficient bricks
2. Eco-friendly Brick Making - This process of creating bricks with cigarettes may encourage eco-friendly brick making and waste reduction methods in construction and building materials
3. Sustainable Materials Management - The use of cigarette butt-bricks highlights the need for sustainable materials management practices that can reduce the negative environmental impact of common pollutants and waste products
Industry Implications
1. Construction - The construction industry can benefit from this innovation by adopting waste reduction practices and eco-friendly building materials
2. Waste Management - The tobacco and litter industry may also benefit from incorporating sustainable waste management practices that can reduce the wide-ranging negative effects of cigarette waste
3. Environmental Services - Environmental service industries can address burgeoning environmental problems and find new ways to turn waste into a sustainable and potentially profitable resource through innovative recycling practices