Genk (The Brussels Morning Newspaper): In Genk, 227 fines were issued for littering cigarette butts in the first half of the year. To combat this the city is distributing pocket ashtrays to residents, promoting responsible disposal and cleanliness.
In Genk, 227 fines were given out in the first half of the year to people caught throwing away cigarette butts on the streets. Many of them said they did it because there weren’t enough ashtrays around. To help fix this problem and cut down on littering, the city has started a new plan. They’re giving out pocket ashtrays to residents so that smokers have an easy and responsible way to throw away their butts. These pocket ashtrays are made from materials that can resist fire, so they can safely hold used cigarette butts. They are reusable, which helps the environment. The ashtrays can fold up and are small enough to fit in a trouser pocket, making them easy to carry every day. This plan is part of a bigger effort to keep the streets cleaner and encourage smokers to dispose of their waste properly.
How is Genk addressing cigarette butt littering with pocket ashtrays and other initiatives?
These pocket ashtrays are made from fire-resistant materials, making them safe for holding used cigarette butts and they are reusable, which is great for the environment. They can easily fold up and fit into a trouser pocket making them convenient for daily use. This initiative is part of a larger effort to keep the streets cleaner and encourage better waste disposal among smokers. Previously, the city placed columns along the Rootenstraat which proved effective as people disposed of 29,000 cigarette butts there. They also added two “poll columns” where smokers could vote by dropping their butts into answer boxes collecting about 7,500 butts. Now the city is considering whether to install more columns.
Mayor Dries of Genk has stated that the city has now given enough options for people to properly dispose of cigarette butts to help stop littering. He believes that with these new options, there should be no reasons for people to throw their butts on the ground. He also warned that those who continue to litter will get a GAS (Administrative Sanctions) fine. The introduction of pocket ashtrays is part of a bigger plan to make it easier for smokers to dispose of their butts responsibly, showing the city’s commitment to keeping things clean and enforcing anti-littering rules.
