Ballot bins used to measure Capital reaction to US election

SMOKERS are being asked to give their verdict on the outcome of the American presidential election as part of Edinburgh's latest anti-litter drive.

The second batch of ballot bins asking for opinions on the US election. Picture; contributed.

New “ballot bins” are being installed at various locations across the city, offering people the chance to put their cigarette butts in one of two slots to show whether they think Presisdent Donald Trump is a “dream” or a “nightmare”.

It’s the second phase of the #OurEdinburgh campaign to persuade residents and visitors to dispose of their litter responsibly.

Back in July, four “ballot bins” appeared in the Grassmarket, inviting smokers to vote for their favourite Trainspotting character by placing their cigarette ends in different slots.

The campaign also used digital media and high-profile advertising during the busy Festival period. One slogan promised: “We’ll bin our jokes, if you bin your litter”.

Messages on the council’s own social media accounts reached 400,000 people.

Litter bins in the city centre which carried anti-littering messages saw a 52 per cent increase in the amount of litter they collected during August. That compared to other bins in the city centre which saw a 25 per cent increase.

The messages were kept on the bins following the Festival period and continued to outperform other bins.