Cigarette trash bins have been added to some of the bus shelters in Hartford, but I know that the identifying stickers were not originally on all of them which is why I am sharing this in case someone wonders about the shiny new metal boxes they’re staring at on their commute.
TerraCycle is a company that helps people to recycle materials that, while recyclable, aren’t often accepted curbside. Most of the butt bins I’ve seen have been in downtown, but I’ve also spotted one in Asylum Hill outside of the Business Improvement District. I wonder how well these will be maintained and if the cigarette butts will be sent to TerraCycle, or if they will end up simply being dumped in the trash. As cute as the talking speech bubble is, a talking cigarette might have been communicated the purpose of this for those who lack English literacy skills.
It’s interesting that there is no number posted for people to call if they notice a full canister; Hartford continues to have not replaced their 311 app they chose to delete in 2023.
I hope they have a system for managing these and that the butts actually do end up going to TerraCycle. I hope that these work so well that the City of Hartford decides to take the next sensible step: installing sharps containers in strategic locations citywide so that syringes are disposed of safely rather than left where anyone could inadvertently puncture themself.