The Ballot Bin is a customisable ashtray, proven to reduce cigarette butt litter by up to 73%.
Each Ballot Bin displays a question and two answers. Smokers vote by putting their cigarette butt in the slots underneath their preferred answer. The litter stacks up behind the clear glass front in two columns, showing which answer is more popular.
The questions can be easily changed by the Ballot Bin owner. They can be funny, topical, provocative – whatever works for your audience.
Studies show that proposals to decrease cigarette butt pollution have been largely ineffective, with cigarette butts consistently being the single most collected item in beach clean-ups and litter surveys.
Smokers find the Ballot Bins much more engaging than alternative ashtrays and are more likely to use them. Independent evaluation shows the Ballot Bin reduces cigarette butt litter by 73%.
A Poisonous Problem
Cigarette butts are the most common form of litter in the world, with an estimated 4.5 trillion cigarette butts thrown away every year.1
Cigarette filters are made from cellulose acetate, a type of plastic that can take up to 13 years to break down.2
Butts not only leak harmful toxins into the environment, young children and wildlife are also at risk from ingesting them.
In fact, they are the greatest single source of marine litter, ranking even higher than plastic bags and straws, and have been commonly found in the stomachs of fish, birds, whales and other marine creatures.3
The Ballot Bin seeks to tackle this problem, with independent evaluation showing that the Ballot Bin reduces cigarette butt litter by 73%.
1 van Schalkwyk, Novotny, McKee (2019). No more butts. BMJ, 367:15890.
2 Joly, & Coulis. (2018). Comparison of cellulose vs. plastic cigarette filter decomposition under distinct disposal environments. Waste Management, 72, 349-353.
Testimonials
Specifications
The bin weighs 9.3 kilos, please exercise care while lifting and carrying it. The ashtray features an easily changeable question plate. Write with the magnetic letters provided, a dry-wipe marker or print out our question template and slot in a sheet of A4 paper.
A voting system encourages use of the ashtray; users vote by simply dropping their cigarette butt into one of the two bins. The black aluminium stub panel minimises tobacco stains.
The ashtray is secured by two high quality cam latch locks on the side.
Once unlocked, the bins can be removed for emptying and cleaning using one hand and the sign can be changed or updated.
The ashtray can be mounted to a pole with the fixing provided, or even directly onto a wall. We also sell fixings to mount it onto railings.
The Ballot Bin is designed to resist rust. It has an anti-rust primer coat and all seams and sharp edges and are welded, ground and rounded, which reduces the areas in which rust can form.
The glass is bonded in to make it very difficult to break.
The packaging is made from recycled card and is 100% recyclable. Included in your order:
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Ballot Bin ashtray
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Mount for pole (rail fixings can be ordered at an additional £17)
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200 magnetic letters (English alphabet)
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Dry-wipe marker pen
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Key
Enquiries
FAQs
Bulk Ordering & B2B Sales
Yes, just choose pay by invoice in the checkout and we will send you an invoice.
The standard Ballot Bin comes in 100% Pure Yellow. Other RAL colour and logo options are available on request for orders of 20+ units. Please contact ballotbin@hubbub.org.uk for a quote.
The Ballot Bin has several regional distributors. If you are in one of their territories, please contact them directly.
France: La Boite à Clopes / laurent.donse@tree6clope.com / Phone +33 (0) 673733156
Benelux: (Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg): Habitat Solutions Website / info@habitatsolutions.eu / Phone: +31 (0) 180 642 070
Israel: Youtovia / hello@youtovia.com / Phone: +972 (0) 546 620 283
Norway: Sneipfritt / sneipfritt@gmail.com / Phone +47 97582443
If you are interested in distributing the Ballot Bin please get in touch at: ballotbin@hubbub.org.uk.
Delivery & Shipping
The Ballot Bin is 55cm high, 35cm wide and 9cm thick and weighs 9.3 kilos.
- Ballot Bin ashtray
- 200 magnetic letters (English alphabet)
- Mount for pole (rail fixings can be ordered at an additional £17)
- Dry-wipe marker pen
- Key
- Instruction leaflet & starter pack
The Ballot Bin ships worldwide. It costs £15 to ship to mainland UK. Other rates may vary, enter your address on the checkout page to get specific rates for your country. If your region does not appear on the dropdown list, please email: BallotBin@hubbub.org.uk to get a customised quote.
We aim to dispatch orders within 3-4 weeks, and often much sooner. You will be notified when the product has been dispatched. Please note that custom colours and logos add 1-2 weeks.
Information & Usage
The Ballot Bin is an environmental solution to cigarette butt litter. It aims to reduce cigarette butts being thrown on the street and to also raise awareness about litter. The Ballot Bin is not designed to encourage smoking, its purpose is to encourage smokers to dispose of their cigarette butts in the correct way that is also good for the environment.
Approximately 400 – 600 cigarettes butts can fit in the bin.
The ashtray is emptied by unlocking the front door then lifting out the inner bin, whilst tilting it backwards. Instructions are here.
The ashtray comes with fixings to securely attach it to a pole. You can order additional fixings to mount to a rail for £17. It is possible to secure the bin to a wall using standard screws but these are not included with the product. Full instructions for all 3 fixing options are included with the Ballot Bin and can be downloaded here.
The Ballot Bin have been designed and tested by the environmental charity Hubbub and the design studio Common Works. We are working with a trusted supplier Instrument to manufacture and distribute the Ballot Bin to locations around the world. Profits from your purchase will go back to the charity.
With the bin you receive 200 magnetic letters that will allow customisation of the questions, also provided is a dry-wipe marker. You may also download our printable question template here. The question plate is behind glass and secured behind the locked door.
When choosing what questions to ask think about the local culture and interests. What is your target audience passionate about and what topics might they have a strong opinion on? Questions could link to sporting events, local issues, favourite foods, politics, and much more. Read more about the question that went viral on social media.