These structures entitled EcoPontas and PapaChicletes were presented to the population on World Water Day, March 22, 2021, in order to mark the date and alert the population to the problem of water pollution, since these residues are deposited in rivers and / or seas, causing the degradation of these natural resources.
EcoPontas & PapaChicletes were developed by the Guimarães Landscape Laboratory, which already won the Ponto Verde Social Innovation Green Project Awards with this project. It is an innovative solution aimed at reducing the accumulation of cigarette butts and chewing gum residues in the public space. In addition to this aspect, it has an R&D character, promoting the recovery of waste and reinforcing the importance of the circular economy, since they have the final destination of recycling and with this material produce new materials, such as e-bricks.
This measure, in addition to contributing to reducing the impact of cigarette butts on the environment, creates conditions for the proper deposition, collection and treatment of tobacco product residues. It will also serve as a tool for listening to the population to analyze the impact of the project with the municipal society and, if necessary, give it more visibility. In this sense, a system for collecting opinions and / or a quick response questionnaire was implemented. The questions that are evident in these infrastructures are: Have you heard of the “Not here for Marão packaging!” Project ?; Do you still throw cigarette butts on the floor ?; Do you consider these initiatives important? Do you think there should be more deposits of cigarette butts?
This project is funded by Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, through the EEA Grants and by the Secretary General for Environment, Programme Operator on the Environment Programme.