Cigarette butts big problem on Chicago beaches, researchers say

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Nearly half of all the trash found at Chicago's beaches is cigarette butts, according to Loyola University Chicago researchers.

Researchers analyzed data compiled from more than 57,000 pieces of litter at Ohio Street Beach.

Volunteers collected the items over a span of 12 years.

More than 41 percent of those items were cigarette butts.

The study looked at other Chicago beaches and the breakdown was similar.