Louth County Council launch 'Vote With Your Butt' campaign
Louth County Council has unveiled a new initiative that they say is designed to halve cigarette litter in the county.
The project, part of the broader Anti-Cigarette Litter Campaign, invites residents and visitors to "Vote with Your Butt" at strategically placed Ballot Bins.
Two eye-catching Ballot Bins have been strategically installed at key locations – The Market Square in Dundalk and West St in Drogheda, identified as one of the town's notorious blackspots for cigarette litter.
These bins present smokers with thought-provoking 'either/or' questions, and individuals can cast their votes by responsibly disposing of their cigarette butts in the corresponding slot.
Ballot bins are also popping up in villages around the county where Tidy Town groups will be rolling out awareness campaigns to encourage smokers to use the ballot bins and Vote with their Butt.
Cigarette butts, recognised as single-use plastic litter, contribute to over two-thirds of all litter in the county. The introduction of Ballot Bins has proven successful in cities and towns across Europe, resulting in an impressive 46% reduction in cigarette litter. Louth County Council is optimistic about replicating this success and fostering a positive change in local behaviour.
Commenting on the initiative, Paula Gribben, Louth’s Environmental Awareness Officer, emphasised the broader impact of the Anti-Cigarette Litter Campaign: "This Ballot Bin initiative is just one facet of our comprehensive strategy. By encouraging individuals to walk the extra distance to use these bins, we aim to instil a lasting change in behaviour that extends far beyond the duration of the campaign."
The council say the "Vote with Your Butt" initiative aligns with Louth County Council's commitment to promoting environmental awareness and fostering a sense of responsibility among the community. The campaign seeks to make a tangible impact on reducing cigarette litter and creating cleaner, healthier public spaces.