The creation of a network for the separate collection of cigarette waste (cigarette butts) was completed with the installation of special specifications by the Municipality of Central Corfu and the Diapontia Islands. For the first time, a municipality in Western Greece and the Ionian Islands implements this program and the bins were placed in 40 strategic points of the city of Corfu, where intense human activity is spotted.

Through this specific new network, a separate collection of cigarette butts will be carried out by the cleaning crew of the municipality and it will then be promoted to factories abroad for detoxification and recycling. Their processing will result in new recycled industrial products. The paper, the tobacco, and the ash, which will be contained in them, will lead to composting.

With this action, the municipality hopes to protect both the environment from the abundance of toxic chemicals and plastics contained in cigarette butts and the overall image of a UNESCO World Heritage Site such as the Old Town of Corfu. Moreover, by implementing its commitments, it leads another stream of waste to its proper management according to the principles of the circular economy.

The completion of this project is part of the commitments of the Municipality of Central Corfu and the Diapontia Islands in the context of its participation in the program “100 Intelligent Cities Challenge” of the European Commission, where the municipality has as its main theme “Waste Management and the Circular Economy”.

It is important to emphasize that the correct location of the new network of bins for the separate collection of cigarette waste could not be possible without the good cooperation of the head of the Ephorate of Antiquities of Corfu, Mrs. Tenia Rigakou, whom the municipality warmly thanks for her contribution.

The first cigarette collection bins were placed symbolically in the city of Corfu on Friday, 5 June 2020, on World Environment Day with the presence of the mayor Meropi Ydraiou, the deputy mayor of cleaning Giannis Seremetis, and the director of the Cigaret Cycle AMKE, with which the municipality cooperated for the implementation of this specific program.