Your questions, our answers
Everything CSR managers, facilities teams and legal departments most often ask us, brought together on one page. If the answer isn't there, write to us — we come back within 24 business hours.
Browse by topic
The service day-to-day
How it works, collection frequency, quarterly waste transfer note, monitoring.
02Hardware and installation
Models, dimensions, customisation, lifetime guarantee, maintenance.
03Contract and pricing
12-48 month commitment, multi-site terms, exit conditions.
04The recycling chain
Material recycling vs energy recovery, industrial partners, traceability.
05The company and the team
History, founders, the Easy To group, Picardie roots.
How it works in practice
How does the set-up of a new site work?
After signature of the quote, our teams come on site within 2 to 4 weeks to install the hardware at the agreed locations (validation of placement with your point of contact, anchoring where applicable, counter set-up). The first clikeco collection round is scheduled around 4 to 6 weeks after installation, enough time for the first cigarette butts to fill the containers.
How often are the ashtrays emptied?
Frequency depends on site size and footfall. For an office site of 100 to 300 employees, a quarterly round is generally enough. For very busy sites (1,000+ headquarters, stations, hospitals), we offer monthly rounds. For small sites or low-traffic zones, a half-yearly or annual round may suffice. Frequency is set in the quote and adjustable during the contract.
Who empties the ashtrays: your teams or mine?
Two modes exist. Full service: our teams (via clikeco) come to empty the ashtrays and take the cigarette butts away. Your teams have nothing to handle. In-house emptying: your teams (facilities, cleaning) empty the ashtrays into a sealed drum that we collect annually. This option is cheaper but requires an internal procedure (gloves, sealed drum, traceability). Our expert advises you during the audit.
How do I receive my waste transfer note?
The waste transfer note is generated automatically through the national Trackdéchets platform after each collection round. You receive it by email every quarter, as a digitally signed PDF, including: nature of the waste, exact weight, mode of transport, treatment installation and nature of treatment (MéGO material recycling or energy recovery). The document complies with CSRD, ISO 14001 and Ecovadis requirements.
What's included in the awareness service?
Awareness is built into the service: Peasy posters installed near the ashtrays, signage on the hardware itself, internal communication kit (visuals for the intranet, slides for team meetings), and proposals for occasional CSR events. Learn more about our Peasy approach →
Ashtrays, options, guarantee
What ashtray models do you offer?
Two main ranges: Easy Premium (galvanised steel, 10,000 cigarette butt capacity, certified fire-safe hood, 4 standard colours) for headquarters and high-end office sites, and Easy Eco (3 models: free-standing, wall-mounted, two-compartment vote) for small sites, café terraces and coworking spaces. Details in the catalogue.
Can I customise the hardware to my company's colours?
Yes, at several levels: full RAL palette for the body colour, engraved or screen-printed logo branding, custom sorting-awareness signage. Customisation is carried out in our Picardie workshop; allow 4 to 6 weeks of additional lead time compared with standard colours.
Is the hardware really guaranteed for life?
Yes. As long as you have a contract with Easy to Change, we replace at no cost any part damaged by normal wear (hood, hinge, paint, fixing). The hardware is designed and manufactured in Picardie to last at least a decade. Parts are removable, which makes maintenance straightforward — no need to throw away an ashtray to replace a hood.
What placements do you recommend?
Optimal placements are defined during the on-site audit: near main entrances (3-5 metres away to respect the smoke-free distance), existing gathering points (terraces, forecourts, internal courtyards), equipped smoking shelters. We avoid placements that are too dispersed (a single poorly placed ashtray means overflow on public space).
Is there a fire risk with this type of hardware?
No. Our Easy Premium ashtrays include a certified fire-safe metal hood that smothers un-extinguished butts as soon as they drop into the container (oxygen-deprived atmosphere). It is precisely for this reason that structured professional ashtrays reduce fire risk compared to open ashtrays or the standard bins used by default.
Commitment, pricing, exit
What is the commitment duration?
Between 12 and 48 months, aligned with the amortisation period of the hardware installed on your site and the selected collection frequency. The longer the duration, the more advantageous the monthly rate. This duration allows us to guarantee a stable rate, unlimited maintenance and replacement of damaged hardware without extra invoicing for the entire contract. At expiry, you decide: renewal, renegotiation, or termination at no cost.
Why aren't prices displayed on the site?
Because there isn't a single price: an 80-person open-plan site doesn't cost the same as a 24/7 logistics platform with 5 smoking areas. Four parameters drive variation: number of smoking areas, ashtray model, collection frequency, number of sites. Request the tailored pricing grid →
Are there sliding-scale terms for multi-site accounts?
Yes, from 5 sites onwards. The rate decreases by tier (5, 10, 20, 50+ sites). Billing can also be adapted: central referencing by your procurement department, local purchase orders per site, or consolidated monthly invoicing. For groups with more than 20 sites, we build a tailored framework agreement.
What happens at the end of my contract?
Three months before expiry, we get in touch for a review. Three options: renew at the same or adjusted terms, renegotiate (change of frequency, adding/removing sites), or terminate cleanly (hardware retrieval by our teams, final waste transfer note, closing invoice). No silent tacit renewal.
How does invoicing work?
Default invoicing is quarterly, in arrears. For annual contracts we also offer a single invoice at the start of the year. For multi-site clients with central billing: consolidated monthly invoice with a per-site breakdown (Excel or XML formats compatible with SAP / Oracle Coupa depending on your process).
Material recycling, energy recovery, traceability
What is the difference between material recycling and energy recovery?
Material recycling (Path A, via MéGO): the cellulose acetate filter is washed, dried and turned into plastic granulate reused to make street furniture. Tobacco and ashes are recovered separately. This is the most virtuous path but also the most expensive. Energy recovery (Path B): butts are dried then incinerated in cement plants as a substitute fuel. Less expensive, but without component recovery. Detailed comparison →
Can I choose the treatment path?
Yes. You indicate your preference in the quote. Clients geared toward CSRD / Ecovadis Platinum / ISO 14001 almost always go for material recycling (Path A). High-volume clients with budget constraints sometimes opt for energy recovery. A mixed path (material for flagship sites, energy for the rest) is possible for multi-site groups.
Who are your industrial partners?
Two structural partners: MéGO (the first French plant for material recycling of cigarette butts, based in Brittany) for final treatment, and clikeco (national approved hazardous-waste logistics operator) for collection. Depending on the region, we also mobilise local operational partners from the social and solidarity economy (Lemon Tri, Ostreya, Elise Network). Partner details →
How can I be sure the cigarette butts are really recycled?
The waste transfer note issued through Trackdéchets tracks every tonne: producer (you), transporter (clikeco), treatment facility (MéGO), and exact nature of treatment. It is an official document, enforceable in case of audit or inspection. For clients who want to go further: a MéGO plant visit can be arranged on request.
Are cigarette butts hazardous waste?
Yes, legally. Cigarette butts are classified as hazardous waste because of their nicotine content, heavy metals and residual toxic substances. This is why the waste transfer note is mandatory as soon as they are entrusted to a service provider, and why transport must be performed by a hazardous-waste approved operator (clikeco in our case).
Who's behind Easy to Change
Who exactly is Easy to Change?
Easy to Change is a brand of the Easy To group (Caeterra), launched in 2025 by two co-founders: Gautier Forgerit and Paul Marchisio. They were joined in 2023-2024 by three partners (Guillaume Canard, Corentin Le Duc, Nicolas Piffeteau) to scale up. Group headquarters in Arras (Northern France), manufacturing workshop rooted in Picardie. 700+ sites equipped to date. Learn more →
Are your ashtrays really made in France?
Yes. The ashtrays are designed, manufactured and assembled in our workshop rooted in Picardie, in the Somme département. Galvanised steel sourced from French supply chains, epoxy paint finish, certified fire-safe hood — every step is traced. Workshop visits possible by appointment.
What is the Easy To group?
Easy To (operated by Caeterra) brings together several B2B circular services, each specialising in a specific waste stream. Today: Easy to Change (cigarette butts, available) and Easy to Compost (biowaste, available). A third service is in preparation. The common promise: a turnkey integrated service that takes the load off the client.
Do you work with public bodies?
Yes, through public tenders and negotiated procurement. Our public-sector offer is adapted: more robust models for public space, higher collection frequencies, signage compatible with municipal graphic charters. Our approach for public bodies →
Your question isn't in the FAQ?
Write to us directly: Marie, Paul or Gautier will come back to you personally within 24 business hours.