Museum of Litter

A LITTER CHRISTMAS TREE reminds us we share One World - Elaine Devine

This may not be the most unique or unusual Christmas tree, but it's got to be one of the greenest. All decorations are 100% local litter temporarily up-cycled into ornaments.

Thanks to all the adventurous spirits who attended our Litter Tree-trimming party -- it was the most fun I've ever had trimming a tree -- litterally!

There was lots of joy and laughter as we marveled at the nonsensical things that end up littering the beach as well as conversations about whether these items were left behind, lost by boaters or dumped by cruise ships.

The creativity shown was amazing; from using a child's sun-hat as a tree topper to the intriguing vignettes made from various litter combinations.

Thanks for letting us share our Litter tree with you. We hope it brought some whimsy into your day. Please share with family & friends to spread the word about a litter-free environment.

 

  

Is a Cigar Butt Litter?

The Museum of Litter was part of the local Art & Craft Show last weekend in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea. As I stood in front of our booth I saw a man pitch the remnants of his cigar into a mulched area of landscaped greenery. I caught up with him, thanked him, and handed him one of the museum's 'thank you for your donation' cards. He watched me as I walked to the cigar, extinguished it with my shoe and took the butt back to my booth.

A few minutes later he approached briskly informing me, "First of all I probably do as much as anyone for the environment! I am out there on the water picking up trash all the time."  "That's great!" I told him.  "Second of all," he continued, "a cigar has no filter. It's wrapped only in a natural tobacco leaf. It is not litter. So," he said pushing the card at me while turning to leave, "you can have this back." And he was gone.

Obviously he didn't want to have a discussion. He strongly believes his spent cigar is not litter. He does bring up a good point. I appreciate and agree that something biodegradable(cigars, apple cores) shouldn't end up in a plastic lined garbage can that will delay the organic substance to return to the earth. Yet. it seems to me an eyesore in the shrubbery is still litter. 

It brings up a lot of questions. Does he think cigar butts can be throw down anywhere outside or only on the ground. Would he throw it on the beach? What about birds and other creatures ingesting it? Are there any chemicals in the tobacco? Could the lit end create fire in the mulch or a wooded area? Does it give others a bad example and an excuse to also litter? I'm sure you can think of even more questions.

I mentioned this encounter to an environmental friend who unbeknown to me is a cigar  aficionado. He said when he's outside and unable to dispose of a cigar properly he removes the paper ring then tears the cigar into tiny bits to aid in it's decomposition and make it invisible.

So, what's the answer?   Is a cigar butt litter? Does it belong in sight while decomposing? What is the proper way to dispose of a cigar? What do you think? Would love your comments, please.