Dobong-gu Installs 'Cigarette Butt-Only Collection Boxes' to Prevent Cigarette Fire Accidents

Dobong-gu Introduces 'Dobong-type Cigarette Butt Collection Box'
Installed Next to Street Trash Bins for Fire Prevention and Efficiency

Dobong-gu (Mayor Oh Eon-seok) has introduced the 'Dobong-type Cigarette Butt Dedicated Collection Box' as a measure to prevent fires caused by cigarette butts.

An official from the district stated, "It was created with inspiration from the cigarette butt collection boxes in Melbourne, Australia, and it is the first of its kind among Seoul's autonomous districts."

The collection box, measuring 6.2 cm in diameter and 28.5 cm in length, is attached next to existing street trash bins, making it more cost-effective and space-efficient compared to other cigarette butt collection boxes.

While typical standalone cigarette butt collection boxes cost around 200,000 KRW each and face difficulties in site selection due to resident opposition, this cigarette butt collection box costs only 40,000 KRW each and can simply be attached to existing street trash bins, resulting in fewer complaints.

Made from corrosion-resistant steel alloy containing steel alloy, there is no risk of fire caused by cigarette embers.

The district has installed the boxes on a trial basis at 43 locations, including around Dobong-gu Office and the sidewalks of Dobong-ro, and reports positive responses from residents.

An official said, "The amount of cigarette butts discarded around the street trash bins where the collection boxes were installed has significantly decreased, and fire reports caused by cigarette embers have also greatly reduced."

The district plans to install the collection boxes on about 300 street trash bins in the area if the budget is secured through supplementary budgets this year.

Oh Eon-seok, Mayor of Dobong-gu, said, "We hope that the Dobong-type cigarette butt dedicated collection box installed this time will become a pioneering model," adding, "We will continue to do our best to prepare related projects for environmental protection in daily life."