Sustainable building starts with what we leave behind
- Sally Put
- Nov 17
- 4 min read
Why cigarette butts on the construction site say more than you think
In Belgium, more and more construction companies are focusing on sustainability. They're investing in circular materials, limiting transport flows, and choosing energy-efficient techniques. Yet, there's still a challenge looming right under our feet: the thousands of cigarette butts that end up on construction sites every day.
At first glance, they seem harmless. In reality, they are among the most polluting waste streams in the world. A single cigarette butt can contaminate up to 1,000 liters of groundwater with heavy metals, nicotine, and microplastics. On an active construction site, where rainwater is in constant contact with the soil, these substances can seep directly into the groundwater.
Cigarette butts on the construction site are therefore not a minor aesthetic problem, but a real environmental issue.
Sustainability is in the details
The construction sector is playing a leading role in the transition to a more sustainable economy. Anyone developing a new project today does so with respect for people, the environment, and the future. Yet, the key to credible sustainability lies not only in the choice of materials, but also in the daily organization on site.
A clean yard is a visible sign of care. It demonstrates that sustainability isn't an abstract policy, but an attitude that is evident in every detail. Companies that invest in it demonstrate not only environmental awareness but also leadership.
FreshTray makes sustainable yard management feasible
FreshTray helps construction companies manage cigarette butt waste efficiently and sustainably. With pop-up smoking zones and modular cigarette butt disposal stations that are only installed during the construction period, companies get a flexible solution without administrative or logistical concerns.
FreshTray takes care of the entire process: from placement to emptying and recycling of the collected cigarette butts. The harmful substances are safely processed, and the residual materials are recycled into new raw materials. This way, every smoking area directly contributes to the protection of our soil and water.
Active awareness raising on site
A clean site starts with clarity. That's why FreshTray supports construction companies not only with circular waste collection but also with practical on-site awareness campaigns .
Personalized stickers
We provide clear instruction stickers and signage, tailored to your site and featuring safety colors. With customized pictograms and site-specific messages, the smoking area remains visible and understandable.
Multilingual and accessible
Construction sites are international. That's why we offer all our signage in Dutch, French, German, and English , so everyone, from workers to subcontractors, sees and understands the same clear message.
Practical and effective
The awareness training is provided along with the installation of the smoking zones. No extra work: we take care of installation, maintenance, and replacement when necessary.
Result: less litter, more structure and a site that shows that care for the environment also involves small details.
The benefits of pop-up concepts for recruitment
A construction project is dynamic. What's a storage area today becomes a passageway or parking lot tomorrow. Therefore, waste management on site also requires flexibility. FreshTray designed its smoking areas and cigarette butt disposal stations precisely with this principle in mind. They are temporary, modular, and completely maintenance-free for the contractor.
Flexible deployment
Pop-up installations adapt to the various phases of the site. When the layout changes or the terrain evolves, the smoking areas can easily be relocated or temporarily removed. This way, the solution always remains in the right place, without additional organization.
Completely unburdened
FreshTray delivers, installs, maintains, and collects everything at the end of the project. The collected cigarette butts are collected and recycled through certified partners. This means no extra work for the site manager, no logistical planning, and no maintenance. You simply choose the installation time, and we take care of the rest.
Sustainable and circular
The collected cigarette butts are not burned or landfilled. They are detoxified, separated, and processed into new raw materials. This way, we close the loop together and prevent harmful substances from entering the groundwater. It's a visible contribution to circular construction, tangible in every project.
Efficient and cost-effective
Compared to the total cost of a site, the investment in a pop-up smoking area is minimal. However, the savings on cleanup, time, and negative publicity are significant. A clean site is more efficient to manage and prevents additional cleaning costs upon completion.
Image-enhancing
A clean site demonstrates care, order, and respect. It immediately demonstrates that your company not only includes sustainability in policy plans but also applies it in daily practice. It's a small gesture that makes a big difference in how clients, residents, and employees experience your organization.
A small cost with great meaning
Compared to the total cost of a construction site, the investment in a smoking area is negligible. But its symbolic value is significant. It sends a concrete message to employees, clients, and society:
“We build not only for today, but also with respect for tomorrow.”
For many companies, this fits perfectly within their sustainability strategy. It aligns with the principles of circular construction and the expectations of clients, who are increasingly incorporating environmental frameworks into their specifications.
An inspiring example for the sector
More and more major players in the Belgian construction industry are demonstrating that sustainable site management also encompasses waste prevention. They are consciously choosing solutions that make their environmental policy tangible, both on permanent sites and temporary construction sites.
FreshTray supports them with temporary and structural solutions that adapt to every project. Some inspiring practical examples from these companies, demonstrating that progress doesn't always have to be significant to have an impact? More on that soon!
A conscious choice for those who want to build sustainably
Sustainability is a story of choices. Choosing clean yards means choosing credibility. Choosing solutions that limit the impact of waste contributes to the environment and to the image of a sector that literally shapes the future.
Cigarette butts littering the street? Choose a clean construction site.
Want to know more about our pop-up solutions?
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