CSR Coups de Coeur Awards - Environment

Portugal

CTT Portugal Post: ToBeGreen Mask Recycling Project

ACTIONS

The pilot project was launched in July 2021 in partnership with a University of Minho spinoff, ToBeGreen.

Based on the concept of circular economy, its aim is to reduce the environmental impact associated with the use of masks against COVID-19, through the processing and creation of new products. After a chemical process, the masks – used and deposited in their own containers – are transformed into a resistant Polypropylene polymer reusable for various purposes, such as shipping packaging and product design, all of this under strict safety conditions.

The pilot begun in the CTT operations centers of Cabo Ruivo (Lisbon), Maia (near Porto) and Taveiro (near Coimbra) and was very well received by CTT employees. Consequently, the collection of masks is being extended to the headquarters’ building, in Lisbon, and to two Express and logistics centers.

RESULTS and IMPACT

In 2021, 16,116 masks (48.4 kg) were sent for recycling, and the first Christmas tree decorations were produced and sold in CTT stores and online. Part of the revenue was donated to a Solidarity Institution that participated in the packaging process (handmade with recycled materials).