According to Lin, the cigarette ends turned out to be one of the most common forms of litter.

"We picked up a lot of cigarette butts and I wish adults would smoke less—it would be both good for their health and for the environment," she added.

The student also called on everyone to keep environmental protection in mind in their daily lives.

"Sometimes people don't pick up them up when they try to throw their cigarettes in the trash and miss," she said. "Just bending down to pick up your cigarette end occasionally could prevent litter from building up all over the place."

Volunteers clean the streets during a volunteering activity in Pingtan on March 25. Nearly 1,000 local residents took part in the activity. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]