News
New campaign urges smokers to bin their butts in High Streets
We are introducing new ‘bucket bins’ in Hemel Hempstead High Street and Berkhamsted High Street to encourage smokers to bin their butts responsibly.
The initiative, funded by Keep Britain Tidy, will see the bins put in place this month (February 2024) in areas where smokers tend to gather.
Keep Britain Tidy research has found that smokers who discard cigarette litter often justify their actions by saying there aren’t enough bins to dispose of cigarettes correctly.
We will also be introducing the bins in areas where the behaviour is most prolific, including around pubs, restaurants and nightclubs.
The scheme will see 20 colourful, easy-to-use, galvanised steel bucket bins filled with sand placed at hotspot locations in both towns.
Cigarette butt littering is a huge issue across England, accounting for 66 per cent of all litter. Not only do they pollute the environment, they are also costly for councils to clear up.
Cllr Robin Bromham, our Portfolio Holder for Community and Regulatory Services, said: “It is great for Dacorum to be involved in this project with Keep Britain Tidy. We hope this will help to keep our borough clean and protect local wildlife from the risks associated with littered cigarette butts. This project is just one of the great environmental education initiatives that we are currently running.”
Keep Britain Tidy’s Chief Executive, Allison Ogden Newton OBE, said: "We’re delighted that Dacorum Borough Council has demonstrated a real commitment to tackling cigarette litter, which is the most prolific type of litter in England, by working with us on this project.
“Our researchers believe that the bucket bins will be a simple but very effective disposal solution to reduce cigarette littering.
“They’re convenient and affordable. By putting a large number in a small area, we hope to show that offering an easy and convenient solution for smokers that allows them to do the right thing with their butts, we can create a cleaner environment for everyone.”
Find out more about Keep Britain Tidy's programmes and campaigns.