How long does it take a cigarette stub/but to decompose to its component ellements?

Question

Also does this decomposition relase harmfull chemicals into the environment?

Answer 1

Different brands last longer. The little bit of paper and tobacco don't last long. I know that camels have a cotton filter that breaks down pretty fast, Marlboro's have some kind of foam filter that lasts much much longer.

Answer 2

Less than the blink of an eye if it is flushed down the loo.

Answer 3

About 11 years. The material for the filter is obtained from wood, just like the paper tube is. All bio-degradable. No man made fibred in there, it is wood fibre, though it is "plasticised" to make it robust and longer lasting. That's not to say plastic is added, that's just the name of the process.

Answer 4

nicotine is a natural insecticide so their good to use in your garden or to mow  into your lawn if you dont hurt your back collecting them.

Answer 5

too bloody long! i have picked them out of flowerbeds made up with my ma's compost 10 years previously and they are still virtually the same as new. they are man made fibre as far as i know. dont think they release anything too nasty though, they are just a pain in the ****.

i smoke roll ups with a paper roach instead, its ok to chuck them away, take a year to break down.

Answer 6

well you could always just mash it up and put it in the bin lol

and it just stays on the ground and flattens, it doesn't disindergrate