An outdoor ashtray is more than an obligation, it's a responsibility.
Providing outdoor ashtrays for smokers has become essential. The ban on smoking in enclosed and covered public spaces has led to the development of designated outdoor smoking areas to comply with this new legislation. See our range of professional outdoor ashtrays from leading brands, including both French-made products and essential items from European and Asian manufacturers.
What are the requirements for placing an ashtray in a public space?
The provision of ashtrays in urban areas is a consequence of the laws and decrees that led to the smoking ban in establishments open to the public. As a result, it became almost mandatory to provide cigarette butt collection points for smokers in areas such as city streets, parks, businesses, cafes, restaurants, etc. This has led to a widespread proliferation of outdoor ashtrays in both public and private spaces. But beyond the legal framework, it is also a service to smokers and avoids the tedious task of picking up cigarette butts that cannot simply be left on the ground.
Ashtrays in public spaces: Anti-smoking laws and municipal decrees
Decree 2006-1386 of November 15, 2006 , relating to the fight against tobacco in places for collective use.
Since February 1, 2007 , the smoking ban has been generalized to enclosed and covered places that welcome the public or constitute workplaces: businesses, administrations, schools, health establishments.
Since January 1, 2008 , this ban has extended to so-called "social" places: cafes, hotels, restaurants, tobacco bars, casinos and nightclubs.
• Fine: €68 for the offending smoker (then €180 after 45 days)
€135 for the person in charge of the offending venue (€375 after 45 days).
Cities are implementing both punitive and incentive-based measures to combat littering by smokers in the street. Bringing your facilities into compliance is easy, given the wide selection of ashtrays, bins, and cigarette butt traps available.
These outdoor ashtrays, available for freestanding, wall-mounted, or fixed installation , meet the most stringent safety standards while creating welcoming spaces outside offices and restaurants, whether in a designated area or a dedicated shelter. These products adapt to different uses and users with a variety of shapes, colors, and functions.
Manufacturing and country of manufacture of outdoor ashtrays
Since 1981, Voussert has been assisting you by advising you on your premises' layouts. Voussert maintains a large stock of wall-mounted and freestanding ashtrays and ensures daily replenishment of indoor and outdoor ashtrays, notably from Rubbermaid, which we import directly from the United States by container , and from Rossignol, whose factory is located in France, allowing for a rapid response.
Do you need a customized equipment offer or a quote for your urban equipment? Don't hesitate to contact our teams who are here to provide you with the solution.
Wall-mounted outdoor ashtray, freestanding or integrated into a bin?
The first point to consider when deciding where to install your ashtray is whether you opt for a wall-mounted, freestanding , or integrated outdoor bin . In the latter case, you should look at bin- style ashtrays. Freestanding ashtrays are best suited to high-traffic areas , where autonomy and capacity are key considerations. Their other advantage is their portability . As mentioned earlier, some models combine two functions: bin and ashtray (for ashes and cigarettes). Wall-mounted ashtrays are less bulky but generally have a shorter capacity compared to cylindrical "urban" ashtrays; however, it is also possible to combine the functions of bin and ashtray with these. The choice between a simple ashtray and a bin-style ashtray is directly related to the number of smokers and passersby and the proximity of waste collection bins.
The safety of the outdoor ashtray must also be checked either by a solid fixing to the ground (even if it must be able to remain non-permanent) or at a minimum be weighted to prevent any use of the ashtray as a projectile or anything else.
Material: galvanized steel - stainless steel, polypropylene, concrete
The choice of materials is directly linked to weather resistance, vandalism resistance, and also the desired design if the setting in which the ashtray will be placed is important. Voussert therefore offers a wide range of ashtrays for outdoor spaces in various materials and colors: steel, stainless steel, black base, etc.
Galvanized steel and stainless steel are particularly valued for their strength and corrosion resistance, making them ideal for outdoor use, including in humid or saline environments such as coastal areas. Their careful design and high-quality finish make them elegant and durable urban fixtures that meet the aesthetic requirements of communities.
Rubbermaid offers the Tuscan ashtray in black polypropylene with perfect weather resistance and ideal for the seaside.
Rossignol recently launched a line of concrete street furniture, including ashtrays . These ashtrays offer a raw, minimalist aesthetic, blending seamlessly into public spaces with a mineral feel. Made from natural materials, they are particularly resistant to weathering and damage, requiring minimal maintenance. Their weight is a major advantage, making them difficult to move.
How do I empty my outdoor ashtray?
The method for emptying and cleaning the reservoir of an outdoor ashtray varies from one model to another. Generally, the ashtray has a galvanized steel tray that can be removed and emptied separately. Prodifa offers an original solution with an ashtray that incorporates a fireproof bag to contain cigarette butts, which can also be replaced. Most Rossignol, Ruubermaid, or Probbax ashtrays, on the other hand , either have an integrated reservoir or can be emptied directly by rotating or detaching them from the wall or support.
The locking mechanism, whether secure or not, is a safety feature to consider when purchasing both the ashtray and the waste bin. For example, the Rubbermaid Tuscan ashtray features an easy-emptying system and can be equipped with a cable lock for added security, preventing theft and the use of the stainless steel container as a projectile. Some ashtrays have a tilting emptying mechanism.
Quick and easy cleaning
This type of equipment, like street furniture, requires maintenance to prolong its durability and project a quality image in the public domain or around your business.
Using a cloth with a mild cleaner to avoid damaging the paint or coating is sufficient. Cleaning with a pressure washer is possible, but in this case, care must be taken to clean at low pressure to prevent any degradation of the product.
Note that metal ashtrays may require more thorough cleaning to remove traces of nicotine and other residues.
As for plastic models like the Rubbermaid Tuscan ashtray, they should be cleaned using non-abrasive products and cloths to avoid damaging the surface. It is also important to regularly check the condition of the ashtrays for signs of wear.
The main manufacturers
A large majority of these products are manufactured in Asia, and only Rossigniol has a manufacturing facility located in Montsur, Vendée, with the capacity for innovation and creation of these models. We offer custom RAL color manufacturing in small batches, providing an alternative to the commonly seen black and anthracite.
Given the wide selection of outdoor ashtrays available from various brands, the best known of which are Rossignol, Rubbermaid, and Probbax, it is important to make the right choice to effectively collect waste and cigarette butts.