Arnhem turns cigarette butts into art to fight street litter
Arnhem residents can now help reduce cigarette butt waste by contributing to interactive art installations across the city. This creative campaign encourages smokers to dispose of their butts properly, keeping streets cleaner and protecting the environment ahead of National Cleanup Day.
| Key Data | Details |
|---|---|
| Campaign Name | Interactive art to combat cigarette butt waste |
| Locations | 6 (Kronenburg shopping center, Arnhem Building, HAN campus, ArtEZ, city office, city center) |
| Dates | March 18, 19, and 20, 2026 |
| Artwork Concept | Canvases forming the letters A-R-N-H-E-M, completed by stubbed cigarettes |
| Municipal Representative | Bob Roelofs, Alderman for Public Space and Waste |
| National Campaign | Aligns with ‘Make it out, throw it in’ |
The municipality of Arnhem is responsible for maintaining public spaces and waste management in the city. This initiative reflects its role in promoting environmental awareness and community engagement to address urban litter challenges.
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Arnhem uses art to combat cigarette butt waste
Leading up to National Cleanup Day, painted canvases featuring artwork can be found throughout Arnhem. Smokers are encouraged to "complete" these paintings by stubbing out their cigarettes on the artwork and then disposing of them in the designated collection boxes. The municipality of Arnhem is using this creative approach to tackle cigarette butt litter on the streets.
Bob Roelofs, Alderman for Public Space and Waste: “One cigarette butt on the street may seem harmless, but collectively they cause significant damage to our environment and health. Moreover, they contribute to dirty, cluttered streets. With these artworks, we encourage smokers to safely extinguish their cigarettes and dispose of them immediately. Because we all need to work together to keep our city clean.”
Extinguish and dispose
Discarded cigarette butts on the street are difficult to clean up. To raise awareness among Arnhem residents, the municipality is using interactive art. Smokers contribute to the artwork by stubbing out their cigarettes on the canvases. This positive approach encourages them to properly dispose of their butts in the collection boxes rather than tossing them on the ground. With these artworks, the municipality aligns with the national campaign ‘Make it out, throw it in’.
Six locations in the city
The artworks will be on display on Wednesday, March 18, Thursday, March 19, and Friday, March 20 at six different locations in the city: near Kronenburg shopping center, Arnhem Building, the HAN campus, ArtEZ, the city office, and in the city center. Together, the artworks form the letters of the city: A‑R‑N‑H‑E‑M.