Innovative cigarette bins installed in a trendy Manchester square have gained the nod of approval from M.E.N. readers.
The four ‘ballot bins’, which are fixed to streetlights in Cutting Room Square, Ancoats, allow smokers to vote with their butts. Each bin contains two options, with officials able to ask smokers a question — so they can ‘vote’ by depositing their used-up cig.
In Ancoats, smokers have been asked for their opinions on Marmite, and Tom Hardy becoming James Bond. Fittingly, a bin outside Halle St Peters asks if they prefer playing air guitar or air drums, while another outside Rudy’s pizzeria asks if they think it’s acceptable to put pineapple on pizza.
READ MORE: Join the FREE Manchester Evening News WhatsApp community
Hubbub & Common Works, the firms which produce the ballot bins, say it’s ‘proven to reduce cigarette butt litter by 46 percent’. That’s essential in the fight against waste, they say, as 4.5 trillion cigarettes are dropped every year.
And M.E.N. readers appear to back the idea. “This is genius. I wish I smoked just so I could answer the question!” joked Neil Smith on Instagram.
Sash Cam agreed there was an ‘incentive’ for smokers to use the bins, while Sandra Ebrell urged people to use them. “I am glad it has been brought to everyone's attention as cigarette butts left everywhere look unsightly,” she commented on Facebook. “So use the units provided and keep our streets and roads clean and tidy!”
“Love them, what a great idea to help keep our wonderful city clean and tidy,” added Neil Meredith.
There were some who felt that other sources of litter should be cracked-down on in the same way, too. Martina Murphy said: “What about gum, surely that’s a huge problem as well?”
And John Dow added: “Sadly no matter what the authorities bring in. Some people in this country will still drop litter because they can. [With] no deterrents [it’s] impossible to police and they know it. I personally can't stand littering and Manchester has a huge issue with litter!”
Would you like to see the ballot bins rolled out across Greater Manchester? Tell us your thoughts in the comments.
Get the latest headlines here.
READ NEXT:
