The problem of discarded cigarette butts on is a familiar one. Discarded cigarette butts seem to be everywhere even though there are many litterbins and fixed ashtrays available. The cigarette butt problem exists because smokers cannot be expected to walk, sometimes quite a long way, to place their cigarette butts in these bins. Unless the ashtray is near to the smoker when the cigarette is extinguished it will not, normally, be used. Personal ashtrays are one answer but smokers need to carry the personal ashtray with them wherever they go, often leaving them at home or in the car where they are soon forgotten and not used.

Disposable Ashtrays offer a solution to the growing mountain of cigarette waste. An ashtray dispenser or combined ashtray dispenser and cigarette waste bin will provide ashtrays free of charge to smokers at the point of use. The dispenser containing the ashtrays is placed at the entrance to, for example, a beach. As the smokers goes on to the beach they take an ashtray from the dispenser, after enjoying their day on the beach they throw the ashtray and its contents in to the cigarette waste receptacle on the ashtray dispenser as they leave. The area is then free of cigarette butts and the problems they cause.

Two styles of ashtray are currently available Beach Ashtrays and Table Top Ashtrays. Beach Ashtrays, as the name suggests, are specifically designed for use on the beach to keep beaches and the shoreline free of cigarette butts. The Table Top Ashtrays are used in all other open spaces, parks, nature trails, ornamental gardens, university ground, open-air shopping centres and at outdoor events such as concerts and rallies.

A joint initiative between businesses and local authorities to cover the cost of manufacturing the ashtrays and dispensers, refilling the dispensers and emptying the bins will allow smokers to take ashtrays free of charge from the dispensers. In return for their support a logo or message from a sponsor can be printed on the lid of the ashtray, on the dispenser and signage to promote their business and demonstrate their environmental convictions.