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Urban Art, Dialogue with Citizens

Beata é Plástico (Cigarette Butt is Plastic)

The project

Cigarette butts are one the most found items in the oceans worldwide and one of the most dangerous for the earth during its decomposition process. A cigarette butt contains hundreds of toxic substances and the filter contains a type of plastic, making its degradation extremely slow, taking more than 10 years, and never really disappearing.

Estimates tell us that 7,000 butts reach the ground per minute, a total of approximately 10 million per day in Portugal alone. The number of cigarettes consumed in the country is 10 billion a year. Each cigarette butt that is not properly thrown away ends up triggering a cycle of soil and water contamination, putting at risk all the organisms that depend on them.

Behavioral studies tell us that some smokers unconsciously throw the butt to the ground because they do not identify it as garbage and are unaware of its impacts. For this reason, Zero Waste Lab, together with the Office of the European Parliament and the European Commission Representation in Portugal, created an awareness campaign to combat and mitigate the pollution caused by the butts: Beata is plastic (Butt is Plastic).

We invited 4 collectives of artists and creatives to leave their mark on the city's urban furniture, alerting smokers and the general population to the correct deposition of waste, particularly cigarette butts on street bins.

Through art and creativity, we want to send the message that a small change in behavior can contribute to a huge improvement in the environment.

Butt on the floor, no. Butt is plastic.

Urban Art, Dialogue with Citizens

Beata é Plástico (Cigarette Butt is Plastic)

Collective

Atelier 3

“We develop workshops and projects for children, youth, adults and families through a set of knowledge and methodologies focused on: Storytelling, Creativity and Sustainability, supported by a team of multidisciplinary facilitators.”

More info here.
"Butt is Plastic" bins by Atelier 3 here.

Casa da Semente (Seed House)

"Casa da Semente, a seedbed of emerging artists that offers a platform to grow through exhibitions, residencies, workshops, cultural projects, lectures, exhibitions and others."

More info here.
"Butt is Plastic" bins by Casa da Semente here.

Geridade

"A response of assistance to the elderly, which promotes the emotional, physical and social development of its residents. Through affection and respect for each person's life story, it enhances their uniqueness as people and promotes their connection to society."

More info here.
"Beata is Plastic" bins by Geridade here.

Dona Luísa de Gusmão High School

"Integrated in the arts, students of the 12th grade, present themselves as the Picassas, and believe that through art, values are communicated and influences cultures."

"Beata is Plastic" bins by Dona Luísa de Gusmão High School here.

Urban Art, Dialogue with Citizens

Beata é Plástico (Cigarette Butt is Plastic)

Partners

Espaço Europa

"The European Public Space, known as the European Space - Espaço Europa, was established in 2008 by a joint initiative of the Representation of the European Commission and the Information Office of the European Parliament in Portugal.
It is a citizen-oriented service that promotes knowledge and debate on European Union themes, contributing to the exercise of active citizenship. Informs citizens (in person, via phone and email), promotes and welcomes debates, forums, conferences, training activities and cultural events. It is also a space for pedagogical animation that receives schools from all over the country and from different levels of education and organizes and promotes competitions and other educational activities about the European Union."

More info here.

Representation of the European Commission

"The EU's Presence in Portugal.
European Union EU flag. Those who believe that the European institutions have their headquarters only in Brussels and outside of people's daily lives are wrong. Member States host many bodies of the European Union."

More info here.

European Parliament Office in Portugal

"Its main function is to inform citizens about the activities of the European Parliament and its members, facilitating contacts between citizens and MEPs."

More info here.