Words by Smiley Team
Best known for the novel idea of voting ashtrays, Hubbub Enterprise has received the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in the Sustainable Development category. The social enterprise introduced “ballot bins” to our streets to combat discarded cigarettes, the most common form of plastic litter.
Based on the nudge technique, for which a choice prompts a desired reaction, the bins permit smokers to vote on either one of two options by chucking their butts into the corresponding rubbish shoot. They offer choices such as ‘Brexit: yes or no?’ ‘This week’s gig: Blur or Oasis?’ or even ‘Will you marry me: Yes or no?’
Director of Hubbub Enterprise Alex Robinson explained: “It started with us looking at people throwing away cigarette butts on the streets, which was, at that time mainly men outside pubs and clubs. So for our first Ballot Bin we said ‘Who's the best footballer in the world: Rinaldo or Messi?’ At that time especially, everyone had an opinion on that question and we reduced cigarette litter by 50 per cent.”
He added: “We are delighted that our work has been recognised with such a prestigious award. Our Ballot Bins have provided a playful and effective solution to tackle some of the 4.5 trillion cigarette butts which are littered worldwide each year.”
To date, more than 3,300 Ballot Bins have been sold in 38 countries, from South Korea to Macedonia. Over 500 of these were purchased by local authorities in the UK, where they are proving a highly effective means of tackling rubbish. For example, Southend BID’s 21 Ballot Bins have reduced cigarette litter in the area by 46 per cent, according to an independent study.
Large corporations, including McDonalds, IKEA and Amazon, have also picked up on the impact these bins are having and have purchased ones to go outside their stores.
Cigarette littering: a pain in the butt
As the most littered item in the world, cigarette butts are a huge environmental issue. Produced from the single-use plastic, cellulose acetate, their filters create toxic plastic waste that harms wildlife such as insects. To combat the problem, the Ballot Bins collect approximately four million cigarette butts per year.
But Hubbub Enterprise’s work doesn’t stop there. As the commercial arm of the environmental charity Hubbub, the company designs products and services that motivate people to behave in more environmentally friendly ways.
In addition to the Ballot Bins, they have produced recycled plastic fishing boats to tackle litter in waterways, launched recycling campaigns like #InTheLoop, and are at present supporting major UK businesses to promote sustainability among employees.
“Our wider projects are going from strength to strength thanks to organisations keen to make a tangible impact on key environmental issues,” said Alex. “We’ve now taken over 2700 employees and school children out on our recycled plastic fishing boats to help learn about plastic pollution and remove litter from waterways. We’re also working with corporations like Investec and KPMG to engage employees with away days and long-term behaviour change campaigns and are providing consultancy to businesses across the UK”.
To support Hubbub’s environmental work tackling waste and protecting the environment, visit their website.
