Funding: Volunteer project
Duration: June 2018 - Ongoing
Partners: Rede Biatakí
The Project
#SemFiltros (#NoFilter) is a campaign launched by BioLiving in 2018 with the aim of raising awareness of the environmental problem of cigarette butts that are discarded in all kinds of places, causing negative effects on water quality and the balance of ecosystems.
In June 2018, we organised our first cigarette butt collection in Albergaria-a-Velha and, in 30 minutes with 14 volunteers, we collected 2592 cigarette butts. Since then, we've organised dozens of events and collected hundreds of thousands of cigarette butts from the streets, which we then hand over to associations or companies that recycle them (such as Rede Biatakí or Laboratório da Paisagem da Guimarães) or reuse them to make artistic pieces to raise environmental awareness (such as Associação 10 Milhões na Berma da Estrada).
In Portugal, 7,000 cigarette butts are thrown on the ground every minute due to the ingrained and socially accepted practice of disposing of this toxic waste. Cigarette butts contain more than 4,700 filtered harmful compounds and are made up of microplastics and cellulose. Given their light weight, cigarette butts are transported by rainwater and waterways to the sea, and are now one of the items that contribute most to the pollution of oceans and coastal areas. The cumulative effects are significant, since 11 million cigarettes are produced every minute worldwide at the cost of a very high ecological footprint.
The biggest cigarette butt collection action we've ever carried out was on 20 May 2019, when we teamed up with 7th and 10th graders from the José Estevão Secondary School in Aveiro. For one hour, 600 people (students, teachers and volunteers) collected 87299 cigarette butts throughout the city of Aveiro. This initiative also had the support and partnership of Rede Biataki, Núcleo de Estudantes de Biologia – AAUAv, iniciativa Sê Humano and Núcleo de Cinema e Fotografia – AAUAv.
Available outputs
On the project's website you will find various products and resources that you can consult and download for free:
- Diagnostic report analysing public perception of the work and importance of NGOs and other civic groups in the environmental and social fields in the project's five partner countries.
- Introductory handbook to mentoring trainees in NGOs to help association leaders with little experience in hosting trainees and/or volunteers.
- Training Course on Green and Social Entrepreneurship and Associative Leadership.
- Handbook about founding and funding NGOs for those who want to know about the first steps to take before setting up an NGO, the founding process, management tips and examples of funding.
- Policy paper that summarises the main results of the project, highlighting and discussing why it is important to change and evolve the policy associated with the third sector at both national and European level.
#nofilter in numbers
Throughout the project, #SemFiltros has directly involved hundreds of people in a wide variety of activities and events:
Testimonials
STRATOS CHATZIGIANNAKIS
"O curso foi esclarecedor em todos os aspectos. A interacção com empreendedores sociais de toda a Europa, bem como as ferramentas e técnicas aprendidas, terão definitivamente impacto nas nossas acções futuras".
MONA FISCHER
‘NGEurope is an excellent way to learn about social entrepreneurship and to start thinking in innovative ways, as well as being more active. In addition, I have met many very inspiring people and gained a sense of connection and solidarity with other European citizens.’
GONÇALO ABREU
"O projecto NGeurope foi uma excelente oportunidade para o meu crescimento pessoal. Não esperava que este curso de formação me desafiasse a deixar a minha zona de conforto e me desse a conhecer tantas realidades diferentes sobre os temas da liderança e do ambiente. Graças a esta experiência aprendi sobre a importância do terceiro sector do desenvolvimento de soluções mais sustentáveis para problemas comunitários a nível local. Além disso, tive a oportunidade de conhecer muitas ONGs, não só no meu país mas também no estrangeiro. Através do programa de imersão do projecto, trabalhei num campo de voluntariado internacional e conheci ainda mais pessoas de diferentes partes do mundo. Esta experiência permitiu-me trabalhar as minhas competências linguísticas, mas sobretudo as minhas capacidades de liderança que aprendi no curso de formação. Obrigado NGeurope pela experiência incrível!"
