In just one year 3,7 Trillion “stompies” get littered across the planet. Smokey Treats has a solution to stop this polution. Photo: Dennis Delport
A Cape Town based company, Smokey Treats, has developed the world’s first eco-cigarette called Woodland Craft Cigarettes.
“It’s the first cigarette that doesn’t leave plastic behind,” says Davide Scott, the owner of the company.
According to him, about 5,7 trillion cigarettes are consumed annually. Because 65% of these plastic butts are littered, 3,7 trillion of those end up on the ground rather than in the bin every year.
“That’s enough plastic butts to fill 1 431 Olympic-sized swimming pools or 623 Boeing 747 passenger planes every single year. And cigarettes have had plastic filters in them for the last 60 years,” Scott says.
Unlike other cigarettes, the Woodland craft cigarette filter is made out of unbleached wood-pulp and not plastic. The effect of this is that the filter biodegrades entirely within 3 months. “This means that, when people throw their ‘stompie’ on the ground, it does not damage the environment,” Scott adds.
Woodland craft cigarettes is the first eco-conscious cigarette in the world. Photo: Supplied
Furthermore, the packaging has not been laminated in plastic and covered with metal, and synthetic inks. “It’s just recycled cardboard and soy ink,” Scott says. He also states that the tobacco that Woodland cigarettes use is pure African tobacco, the result of this is it does not contain artificial additives.
According to Scott, “this is what tobacco is supposed to taste like. Fresh, earthy, and straight from Africa’s richest soil. It’s an authentic experience you don’t get anywhere else.”
He confirmed to MatieMedia that they have bigger plans for the brand. “We are looking to expand internationally in the coming months – with interest coming from Europe, the Middle East, and the US,” he says.
Phil Snijman, environmental consultant, says it’s a step in the right direction, “It will definitely help in our quest to stop pollution.” Snijman also emphasizes the fact that the company complies with Waste Act 59 0f 2008. This act stipulates the reducing, re-using, recycling and recovering of waste.
Smokey Treats also confirmed they are busy exploring the possibility expanding their product range. “We only have one product for now, but we are looking to also produce cannabis cigarettes, organic menthol cigarettes, and other tobacco products, always optimising them for the smallest possible environmental impact,” Scott said.