Berlin is fighting against cigarette butts: there is a risk of a fine of up to 250 euros!

Berlin is fighting against cigarette butts: there is a risk of a fine of up to 250 euros!

The city of Berlin takes the problem of waste disposal seriously. In the Mitte district, a special action by public order offices took place from September 22nd to 28th, 2025 to combat the illegal dropping of cigarette butts in public spaces. This initiative is part of a Berlin-wide project carried out as part of World Clean Up Day on September 20, 2025. District Councilor Christopher Schriner emphasizes the importance of these measures for cleanliness and order in public spaces and in the press release addresses the dangers posed by cigarette butts, such as the contamination of groundwater and drinking water as well as the risk to children and animals.

The Berlin city cleaning service (BSR) faces enormous challenges when it comes to combating the flood of garbage: Every year, around 2.9 billion cigarette butts are removed from public streets. The total costs for removing illegal waste in Berlin in 2022 will be 1.67 million euros. In order to counteract this problem, not only have the appropriate measures been taken, but also the fines for illegal dumping of garbage are to increase in order to bring about behavioral changes among citizens.

Increased fines for litterers

Berlin plans to significantly increase fines for illegal waste disposal. The fine for dropping cigarette butts is to rise from 55 to 250 euros. Drastic increases can also be expected for other illegal disposal, such as placing garbage bags. For example, a fine of 500 euros per bag is set for illegally leaving garbage, while leaving bulky waste on the side of the road can be punished with up to 8,000 euros. These measures aim to effectively combat littering in the capital and create a cleaner environment for people.

The disposal costs for waste in urban areas amount to tens of millions of euros annually. According to a study by the Federal Environment Agency, littering has increased in recent years, especially in the warm months. This highlights the need for education and the implementation of effective measures. Waste investigators and local deposit systems could help increase accountability and promote waste prevention. Thomas Fischer from German Environmental Aid warns not only of the dangers posed by wild garbage dumping, but also of the associated negative effects on the cityscape and the feeling of security in urban areas.

Creative solutions to the waste problem

In order to address the problem of waste, many cities rely on information campaigns and waste advice. The Berlin authorities are calling on citizens to report illegal waste disposal via platforms such as the Berlin service portal or Muell-weg.de. Anonymized reports are also possible, which makes it easier to hold those responsible accountable. The city's goal is to significantly reduce the number of illegal dumps. Manufacturers of disposable products are also required to contribute to the cleaning costs, which could lead to a broader discussion about how to deal with packaging waste.

In many cities around the world there are efforts to achieve the goal of a so-called “zero waste city”, which still poses an immense challenge in Berlin. In this context, the promotion of long-lasting products and the creation of tax incentives to avoid waste could be necessary.

The measures in this campaign and the plans to increase fines are steps in the right direction to make Berlin a cleaner and more environmentally friendly city. Citizens are called upon to actively participate in this change and do their part to avoid waste.