Our main goal is to propose a solution for the large amount of cigarette butts existing all over the world, but especially in the oceans. In this way, we can help decrease ocean pollution.

According to our research, cigarette butts are generally made of a specific type of plastic, celullose acetate. We discovered that it is possible to extract the cellullose acetate from the cigarette butts, since it has already been done to make paper, bricks or even surf boards. In this procedure, we have to wash the cigarette butts multiple times in water and sometimes in ethanol. The product of these washings is then dried at 60ºC in an oven or in a greenhouse. After these processes, we are left with cellulose acetate that can be transformed into glasses frames.

References:

• https://run.unl.pt/bitstream/10362/100618/1/Carrega_2020.pdf 

• https://thebestscienceproject.com/cigarette-butt-waste-as-an-environmentally-biodegradable-plastic/ 

• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33105718/

• https://www.mdpi.com/2504-3900/2/20/1447/htm

Our end product is entended to be glasses frames that can actually be functional.

Our product will certainly be more useful for people who need glasses. However, if it is successful, it will bring long-term benefits for everyone, since the pollution levels will decrease.

In order to make this project happen, we are going to rely in our biology teacher's help so that, together, we can manage any complication we have during the execution of our project. 

Also, we contacted Dr Joaquim Esteves da Silva, responsible for the department of Geoscience, environment and land use planning in FCUP and Dr Luís Silva who works in FCUP as a professor.