Berlin reaches through: Higher penalties for cigarette butts from September!

Berlin reaches through: Higher penalties for cigarette butts from September!

The Mitte district in Berlin supports a Berlin -wide campaign, which will be carried out from September 22nd to 28th, 2025 to combat illegal disposal of cigarette butts in public space. This initiative falls in the framework of the World Clean Up Days, which takes place on September 20. District city councilor for order, environment, nature, streets and green spaces, Christopher Schriner, emphasizes the need for these measures to promote cleanliness in the city. Already now heavily dirty places in Berlin are being checked by emergency services of the regulatory offices- both in the civil and uniform appearance, to impose a warfare of 55 euros and a fine of up to 120 euros for falling cigarette button berlin.de.

The problem of illegal garbage deposits is not new in Berlin. According to a study by the Federal Environment Agency, the amount of littering has increased in recent years. In order to counteract this development, the city of Berlin plans a tightened approach to the fines. Among other things, the penalties for the disposal of cigarette butts, disposable cups and plastic bags are to be raised to 250 euros. At the same time, the fines for unloaded garbage and bulky waste increase considerably, which is seen as a drastic measure to combat the garbage problem in the capital, how n-tv.de reported.

Consequences of illegal waste disposal

Illegal waste disposal is a growing problem. Cigarette butts are particularly concerning as they contain pollutants that can pollute groundwater. In addition, they are a source of danger for children and animals who could accidentally swallow them. In Berlin, around 2.9 billion butts are removed from public spaces every year by the Berliner Stadtreinigung (BSR) and the costs for waste disposal in 2022 amounted to 1.67 million euros. In addition, the BSR states that the annual disposal costs for around 35,000 cubic meters of waste are around 5 million euros for taxpayers rnd.de reported.

In addition, it is known that the removal of cigarette buttons in Germany costs around 225 million euros annually. These financial resources could be used for more important projects, which is why measures to avoid waste and education are urgently necessary. In Berlin, this is supported by the cooperation of the regulatory offices in the "Cleanliness and order in public space" program.

Insights into the suggestions for waste prevention

In order to combat the increasing littering, municipalities set educational campaigns and local deposit systems. Wrong waste separation is also a significant problem, since up to 40 % of the content of yellow tons and bags are not correct. Authorities and environmental organizations require extensive legal changes to take on the manufacturers of disposable products. These should participate in the cleaning costs to promote reuse and reduction of waste.

Berlin is required to find sustainable solutions and to raise awareness of the citizens. Waste advice and the use of miller mediums are possible steps in the right direction. The vicious circle of the garbage problem can only be broken through a common commitment.