Network of cigarette butt recycling bins in Corfu Town completed

The network of collection points for cigarette butts has been fully set up by the Central Corfu & Diapontia Islands Municipality with the placement of special bins. This is the first such system to be implemented in Western Greece and the Ionian Islands and the bins have been placed in 40 of the busiest locations in Corfu Town.

The Municipality Cleansing Service will collect the cigarette butts separately and they will then be sent for detoxification and recycling.

New recycled products will be created through this process and the paper, tobacco and ash will go for composting.

The Municipality hopes in this way to protect the environment from the toxic chemicals and plastic in the butts as well as the image of Corfu Old Town, which is a UNESCO World Heritage SIte. Another stream is also being created for proper waste management according to the principles of the circular economy.

The completion of this project is part of the Central Corfu & Diapontia Islands Municipality's committment  to the European Commision 100 Intelligent Cities Challenge - ICC programme, where the Municipality is focussing on ΄Waste Management and Circular Economy΄.

The first bins for cigarette butts were placed in Corfu Town on Friday 5 June last year for World Environment Day with Mayor Meropi Ydraiou present along with Deputy Mayor for Cleansing Yiannis Seremetis and the Director of Cigaret Cycle ΑΜΚΕ, with which the Municipality is collaborating.