This year’s World Environment Day theme is clear: #BeatPlasticPollution. And while bottles, bags and straws often grab the headlines, one of the most common and overlooked forms of plastic waste continues to be left behind on our beaches, streets, school gates and parks… cigarette butts.

This June, we’re launching a brand new free KS1 and KS2 teaching resource designed to help children across Wales understand the environmental impact of smoking and vaping.

The Plastic Problem Hiding in Plain Sight

Cigarette butts may look like paper or cotton, but they’re actually made of cellulose acetate, a type of plastic that can take up to 15 years to break down. Every year, an estimated 4.5 trillion cigarette butts are discarded worldwide, many of them dropped directly onto the ground.

Here in Wales, litter audits have repeatedly shown that smoking-related litter (including butts, packets, cellophane and rolling papers) is one of the most common types of identifiable litter found in streets and public spaces. For example, Keep Wales Tidy’s 2023 National Litter Survey showed cigarette butts were present in 80% of surveyed locations across Wales.

But the impact isn’t just cosmetic. Cigarette filters contain toxic chemicals including arsenic, lead, and nicotine. Just one cigarette butt can pollute up to 40 litres of water, harming soil health and posing risks to marine and freshwater life.

Vapes – A New Kind Of Litter

The rise in single-use vapes over the last few years has created a new and fast-growing waste stream. Often brightly coloured and designed to appeal to younger users, these products contain a mix of plastic, lithium batteries, and metal and they are not recyclable in household bins.

According to research by Material Focus, 5 million vapes are thrown away in the UK every week, with many ending up in general waste or as street litter.

In Wales, children have reported seeing vape litter in parks, outside schools and along high streets a trend that’s growing quickly.

Supporting Schools: Our KS2 ‘Pollution Solution’ Resource

To help tackle this, We have launched a brand-new KS 1 and KS2 lesson pack all about smoking, vaping and the environment. It aims to help pupils understand the link between smoking/vaping and plastic waste, recognise common types of tobacco and vape litter and explore the impact on wildlife. Ultimately it empowers young people to take action and protect their communities.

This free resource includes an engaging presentation, teacher guidance notes and supporting materials, a certificate and five team-based interactive activities. It can be presented in a big assembly group or in a class.

👉 Download the resource here:
https://ash.wales/resource/smoking-and-environment-pollution-solution-ks2/

Pushing for Smoke-Free Beaches and Clean Public Spaces

Education is just one part of the picture. We are calling for more smoke-free outdoor spaces including smoke-free beaches, parks, school gates, and sports grounds. By normalising smoke-free spaces, we not only protect children from second-hand smoke and harmful messaging, we also tackle littering and plastic waste at the source.

Join the Movement

This World Environment Day, we’re calling on schools, councils, and communities across Wales to:

• Talk about the environmental impact of smoking and vaping
• Use our free resources to start classroom conversations
• Support smoke-free public spaces and litter prevention campaigns
• Encourage young people to be ‘Pollution Detectives’ in their own areas

Whether you’re a teacher, a youth worker or a parent, you can help amplify this message.

Let’s support the next generation in protecting their planet and make sure Wales stays beautiful for the future.

📥 Download the free school pack:
https://ash.wales/resource/smoking-and-environment-pollution-solution-ks2/

📧 Interested in school visits or partnerships? Contact us at communications@ashwales.org.uk