“Low cost” ashtrays would stop mass discarding of cigarette butts in public areas

Thursday 5th August 2021 – ÁLVARO MONFORT with Mike Smith

The neighbourhood volunteer groups that have come together to recover the beauty of the most remote places and corners of Xàbia are not slowing down their efforts to clean up these spots as well as promote civic and responsible attitudes in both residents and those who visit the town during the summer season.

The group Jávea te quiero ¡limpia! has declared war, not only on plastics, but also on cigarette butts. They have pointed out that the pandemic and restrictions on the terraces of the hospitality sector have caused the increase of this harmful waste on public roads and in green open spaces. Since smoking is not allowed within the perimeter of the bars and restaurants, smokers have concentrated outside where there are no specific containers in which to deposit the cigarette butts and many end up on the ground. From there, through rainfall, the wind, and the movement of people, these butts are dragged onto beaches, squares and other outdoor spaces, acting as a pollutant for the natural environment.

Representatives of the group believe that the solution is simple and straightforward and want to encourage the owners of bars and restaurants to follow their example and be more respectful of the environment through a unique and economical initiative: placing kitchen utensils, such as small paella pans, mortars and clay pots, all with sand inside (which would weigh them down against breezes and wind), within the vicinity of their establishments into which clients who smoke can deposit their cigarette butts rather than throw them on the ground. At the moment, three have been placed along the Paseo Marítimo in the port and the good response has shown that there is a need for this type of item to maintain urban cleanliness.

Another voluntary group which continues to clean up the municipality is Xàbia Neta Entre Tots which, after a well-deserved rest following an intensive cleaning schedule, has been forced to resume its work due to the large amount of rubbish and waste generated by the botellones that have proliferated in the already cleaning spaces.

Thus, every fortnight, it will once again gather in the most affected points indicated by the Department of Services and, through its social networks, it will appeal to the public so that anyone who wishes can participate.