Why is TEC waste a problem?
TEC waste poses serious threats to the environment and public health. TEC waste can release toxic chemicals into soil and aquatic environments, harming ecosystems, contaminating surface and ground water, and other vital resources. Cigarette filters and other plastic TEC waste degrades into microplastics and contains toxic chemicals, heavy metals, and residual tobacco contaminants that can leach into the environment, posing risks to aquatic ecosystems, soil health, and human exposure pathways.
Note: “TEC Waste” refers to the non-biodegradable and toxic waste generated by smoked, heated, and smokeless tobacco (T), electronic smoking/vaping devices (E), and cannabis (C) products.
Click the following links to learn more:
- Ordoñez, J., Gago, E. J., & Girard, A. (2016). Processes and technologies for the recycling and recovery of spent lithium-ion batteries. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 60, 195-205.
- Novotny, T. E., Bialous, S. A., & Hill, K. (2022). Tobacco product waste in California: A white paper. California Tobacco Control Program, California Department of Public Health.
- Novotny, T. E., & Slaughter, E. (2014). Tobacco product waste: An environmental approach to reduce tobacco consumption. Current Environmental Health Reports, 1, 208-216.
- Public Health Law Center. (2022). Tobacco Product Waste: A Public Health and Environmental Toolkit, Law and Policy Partnership to End the Commercial Tobacco Epidemic. Public Health Law Center.
- Tobacco and the environment. (2022). Truth Initiative. Retrieved July 11, 2023, from https://truthinitiative.org/research-resources/harmful-effects-tobacco/tobacco-and-environment
- World Health Organization. (2022) Tobacco: Poisoning our planet. World Health Organization.