Sutton introduces ‘ballot bins’ to reduce cigarette litter

Sutton Council has introduced new ‘ballot bins’ designed to encourage smokers to put their cigarette butts in bins instead of on the floor.

The bins aim to reduce litter by engaging smokers in topical and fun debates, such as ‘Will Leicester win the Premier League; Yes or No?’ or ‘Which superhero is better; Batman or Superman?’.

Littering costs the tax payer approximately £850 million in clean up costs each year, and the cigarette bins hope to be a simple and effective way to cut down on one of the most littered items.

A trial in Villiers Street, London saw a reduction in cigarette litter of 29 per cent, and Sutton Council hopes that the bins will replicate a similar reduction across the area, with bins being placed around local streets and pubs.

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