That's an excellent and very specific question! Yes, absolutely. Urban trash bins with integrated sand buckets for cigarette butts are a fantastic and increasingly common solution in public space management. They are often called "sand ashtray" bins or combined litter/smoking receptacles.
The design is quite straightforward. Typically, it's a standard robust public litter bin—made from metal like galvanized steel or aluminum for durability—with a dedicated cylindrical or box-like compartment mounted on the top or side. This compartment is filled with dry, fine sand. Smokers can extinguish and deposit their cigarette butts directly into the sand.
The primary benefit is safety. The sand acts as a non-combustible medium that completely smothers the ember, significantly reducing the fire risk compared to throwing butts into a general waste bin that may contain paper or other flammable materials. It also contains the smell and keeps the butts neatly collected in one place, making maintenance easier for cleaning crews who can simply sieve or replace the sand.
You'll find these bins in strategic locations: outside office buildings, in public parks, near restaurant patios, at transit stops, and in designated smoking areas. They address a major litter issue, as cigarette filters are one of the most common forms of litter worldwide. By providing a convenient and safe alternative to tossing butts on the ground, these bins help keep our cities cleaner.
When sourcing them, look for models with weather-resistant finishes, secure mounting options to prevent theft, and easy-access panels for sand replacement. They represent a simple yet highly effective step towards more thoughtful and functional urban design.