Greece has proposed a new framework that would make tobacco companies help pay to clean up cigarette butts from beaches and public spaces, applying the “polluter pays” principle.

Under the plan, a nationwide collection system would be set up to finance municipal cleanup efforts and to install public ashtrays and bins. The Hellenic Recycling Organization has set targets to reduce scattered butts by 10% within three years and by 30% within five, as the country seeks to curb one of its most visible forms of pollution.

Environmental group WWF Greece welcomed the move but said it does not go far enough, urging the government to add a €0.019 per-filter fee to fund an independent cleanup and innovation fund. Cigarette filters have been classified as single-use plastics under EU law since 2020 and were due to be managed by a national system starting in 2023, but implementation has been delayed by negotiations with the tobacco industry.

This article was adapted from an original report published on tobaccoreporter.com. All rights belong to the original publisher.