The municipality of The Hague has four sections of beach that are smoke-free this summer. A significant expansion on previous years. This will make the 11-kilometre-long coast of The Hague a lot cleaner; good for people, animals and the environment. These smoke-free zones are intended to reduce the waste of cigarette butts and to let beach visitors enjoy a cleaner coast.
Alderman Kapteijns: “ The Hague beach belongs to all of us and offers space for everyone: for those who want to relax and do sports. And now also for people who do not want to sit among smoke and cigarette butts. The expansion of the smoke-free beach is an important step towards a cleaner coast. ”
From pilot to structural approach
In 2023 and 2024, the municipality conducted a pilot with a smoke-free section at the sports beach. The results were positive: the number of cigarette butts found decreased significantly. A great improvement, because cigarette butts are one of the most common forms of litter. They do not decompose, contain toxic substances and are harmful to animals.
Based on this experience, it was decided to expand the smoke-free area with three new parts. A part next to De Pier, a zone on the northern border of the Noorderstrand and a smoke-free part of the beach at the Zuiderstrand.
Artworks as eye-catchers and cigarette butt collectors
On each smoke-free beach section there is a work of art by TrashUre Hunt, made from found waste. These works of art are not only intended to make the smoke-free zone visible, but also to create awareness about waste on the beach. “Anyone who finds a cigarette filter can bring it to the work of art,” says Ralph Groenheijde of TrashUre Hunt, who is connected to the smoke-free beach as a partner of the municipality. “This way everyone can easily contribute to a cleaner beach.”
Together for a clean and healthy beach
The smoke-free beach is part of the Waste Attack Plan and Coastal Action Plan of the municipality of The Hague. It ties in with the broader ambition to keep the beach clean and inviting for everyone.
Photographer: Jurriaan Brobbel
