Beverwijk introduces cigarette butt suckers to fight toxic litter
Beverwijk residents can now borrow special devices to tackle cigarette butt litter, a toxic and persistent problem. The initiative, supported by local partners, aims to keep streets and water sources cleaner while making it easier for volunteers to help.
| Key Data Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Number of devices | 12 |
| Locations for lending | Dorpshuis Moriaan, Leger des Heils, De Bree, Beneluxlaan 95, ‘Huis van de Wijk’, Princenhof |
| Partners involved | HVC (waste management), PWN (drinking water), HHNK (water authority) |
| Municipality | Beverwijk (including Wijk aan Zee) |
| Device features | Size of a leaf blower, includes earplugs, picks up small debris |
| Toxicity concern | Cigarette butts contain non-biodegradable and harmful substances |
The Beverwijk municipality is responsible for maintaining public spaces and reducing litter, which includes addressing environmental hazards like cigarette butts. By collaborating with waste and water management organizations, the municipality ensures a coordinated approach to public cleanliness and sustainability.
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Read the full translated article below
Tackling litter smartly with cigarette butt suckers
Cigarette butts are a major nuisance. The Beverwijk municipality aims to step up efforts to combat this type of litter by actively removing these butts. To this end, twelve cigarette butt suckers have been purchased.
Cigarette butt suckers are handy devices that make it easy to pick up small litter without bending down. These include not only cigarettes but also bottle caps, glass shards, and other small debris. The device is about the size of a leaf blower and comes with earplugs.
Collaboration with HVC, PWN, and HHNK
The Beverwijk municipality is not tackling this issue alone but is receiving support from waste management service HVC, drinking water company PWN, and the Hoogheemraadschap Hollands Noorderkwartier (HHNK). For all these parties, removing cigarette butts is a priority because they are non-biodegradable and harmful to humans and the environment.
Distribution at neighbourhood points
Councillor Sjaak Struijf (Public Space and Green): “In the approach to litter, cigarette butts deserve special attention. They are not only bad for the environment but also toxic to humans and animals. That is why the municipality itself has purchased cigarette butt suckers. Many residents actively contribute to keeping their streets clean. From now on, we offer them the opportunity to borrow our cigarette butt suckers at various neighbourhood points in Beverwijk and Wijk aan Zee.”
Welzijn Beverwijk manages the lending process. Two devices are available at the following locations: Dorpshuis Moriaan, Leger des Heils, inlooppunt De Bree, and the neighbourhood centres at Beneluxlaan 95, ‘Huis van de Wijk’, and Princenhof.
Support from key partners
Gertjan de Waard, HVC Director of Collection: “On Breestraat, we already use cigarette butt suckers. This ensures that this busy shopping street remains clean and looks tidy and inviting for residents, visitors, and shopkeepers.”
Marjan Leijen, board member of Hoogheemraadschap Hollands Noorderkwartier (HHNK): “Cigarettes contain toxic and non-biodegradable substances that easily end up in our environment through sewage, groundwater, or surface water. That is highly undesirable.”
Sjakel van Wesemael, sector director at drinking water company PWN: “Reducing cigarette butts in public spaces also greatly benefits drinking water production. What doesn’t end up in the water doesn’t need to be removed from it.”
From left to right: Sjaak Struijf, Sjakel van Wesemael, Marjan Leijen, and Gertjan de Waard.