Genk hands out portable ashtrays to combat litter
The city of Genk is distributing free portable ashtrays to smokers as part of its efforts to tackle littering. There were 227 administrative fines handed out in the first half of 2024 to people who threw their butts on the street.
The ashtrays were developed on behalf of the city. The compact, foldable bags are made of fire-resistant material and once full, they can be emptied into a rubbish bin and reused.
The first pouches have been distributed free of charge to people at three markets, along with information about the harmful environmental effects of cigarette butts and the possible fines.
“The first distributions were received very positively,” said Genk mayor Wim Dries. “Many smokers were surprised by the existence of the portable pocket ashtrays and indicated that they will no longer throw their butts on the ground.”
In an earlier initiative, from September 2021 to December 2022 and from January to July 2023, several cigarette butt pillars were installed along Rootenstraat in the city. A total of 36,570 cigarette butts were left in these pillars, which were recycled.
#FlandersNewsService | Illustration © IMAGO
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