DON’T MISS
IamExpat FairIamExpat Job BoardIamExpat Webinars
Newsletters
EXPAT INFO
CAREER
HOUSING
EDUCATION
LIFESTYLE
EXPAT SERVICES
NEWS & ARTICLES
Home
Lifestyle
Dutch news & articles
Artwork made of half a million discarded cigarette butts on display in Utrecht
Never miss a thing!Sign up for our weekly newsletters with important news stories, expat events and special offers.
Keep me updated with exclusive offers from partner companies
By signing up, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy

Artwork made of half a million discarded cigarette butts on display in Utrecht

Never miss a thing!Sign up for our weekly newsletters with important news stories, expat events and special offers.
Keep me updated with exclusive offers from partner companies
By signing up, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy
or
follow us for regular updates:



Related Stories

Bulk statiegeld deposit machine opens in AmsterdamBulk statiegeld deposit machine opens in Amsterdam
Dutch parliament wants to scrap extra costs on plastic takeaway containersDutch parliament wants to scrap extra costs on plastic takeaway containers
Higher statiegeld deposit expected for return of plastic bottles and cansHigher statiegeld deposit expected for return of plastic bottles and cans
Utrecht plans to tackle air pollution with larger zero-emission zonesUtrecht plans to tackle air pollution with larger zero-emission zones
Dom Tower in Utrecht visible again after five-year restorationDom Tower in Utrecht visible again after five-year restoration
Dutch clogs: The famous wooden shoes of the NetherlandsDutch clogs: The famous wooden shoes of the Netherlands
10 best Dutch TV shows of all time10 best Dutch TV shows of all time
6 things that make Dutch architecture unique6 things that make Dutch architecture unique
For expats of all colours, shapes and sizes

Explore
Expat infoCareerHousingEducationLifestyleExpat servicesNews & articles
About us
IamExpat MediaAdvertisePost a jobContact usSitemap
More IamExpat
IamExpat Job BoardIamExpat HousingIamExpat FairsWebinarsNewsletters
Privacy
Terms of usePrivacy policyCookiesAvoiding scams

Never miss a thing!Sign up for expat events, news & offers, delivered once a week.
Keep me updated with exclusive offers from partner companies
By signing up, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy


© 2025 IamExpat Media B.V.
© 2025 IamExpat Media B.V.
Jan 25, 2025
Simone Jacobs

Editor at IamExpat Media

Editor for the Netherlands at IamExpat Media. Simone studied Genetics and Zoology at the University of Pretoria in South Africa before moving to the Netherlands, where she has been working as a writer and editor since 2022. One thing she loves more than creating content is consuming it, mainly by reading books by the dozen. Other than being a book dragon, she is also a nature lover and enjoys hiking and animal training. Read more

A living piece of artwork made from half a million cigarette butts collected from across the Netherlands has been put on display in the city hall of Utrecht. The artist aims to make smokers think about the effects of their discarded cigarette stubs on the environment.

Cigarette waste collected in the Netherlands turned into art

During several clean-up campaigns in the Netherlands, more than 500.000 cigarette butts were collected. Angelina Kumar, an artist living in Utrecht who likes to tackle the topics of waste and sustainability in her art, created Het Peukenbos (The Cigarette Butt Forest) by growing fungus on cigarette filters to form pillars in the shape of tree trunks.

It took Kumar two years to develop this method in a lab and several prototypes. The living artwork has been on display in Utrecht’s city hall since this week and will continue to grow in the coming months.

Billions of cigarette butts thrown away every year

The National Expertise Centre for Tobacco Discouragement states that billions of cigarette butts are thrown away every year and the pollution they cause is substantial. "One cigarette butt on the street can pollute 1.000 litres of water," Kumar told RTV Utrecht. "One cigarette contains more than 7000 substances and 250 toxic compounds."

According to NOS, the main aim of the artwork is to make people aware of their behaviour and the effect it has on nature which will hopefully result in an end to throwing their cigarette butts on the streets. Het Peukenbos will remain in Utrecht until September, whereafter Kumar hopes it will travel to other cities and museums to spread awareness and elicit change. 

By Simone Jacobs