– CABILDO DE TENERIFE
SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE 17 Jun. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The circular economy project ‘Surfing With Me’, in collaboration with Tenerife Tourism and supported by the Moving The Planet Foundation, has unveiled the first surfboard made from beach cigarette butts, which is already being used in educational and awareness-raising activities.
Last Sunday, Las Américas Beach hosted a cleanup day organised by the project, which collected over 5,000 cigarette butts with the help of more than 40 volunteers.
Lope Afonso, Vice President and Minister of Tourism for the Tenerife Cabildo, noted that “Surfing With Me is a perfect example of how sustainability can be translated into concrete actions that create a positive impact on our territory and on collective awareness.”
He added, “Transforming such a toxic waste as cigarette butts into a functional surfboard demonstrates that innovation and the circular economy can be powerful tools for protecting our environment.”
Afonso also commented that Tenerife Tourism supports “initiatives that help preserve natural spaces while reinforcing the values that define the island as a destination.”
Dimple Melwani, CEO of Tenerife Tourism, emphasised that “projects like ‘Surfing With Me’ reflect the type of destination we aim to continue building in Tenerife, one committed to sustainability, the conservation of our natural resources, and the active involvement of citizens, the sector, and visitors in caring for the environment.”
She explained, “The unveiling of the first surfboard made from collected cigarette butts demonstrates that it is indeed possible to turn an environmental problem into an opportunity to raise awareness and promote behavioural change.”
Melwani also highlighted that “the sea and the coast are integral to Tenerife’s identity and one of the primary differentiating values as a tourist destination.”
Therefore, she remarked, “supporting initiatives that contribute to ocean protection and reducing marine pollution is a priority for Tenerife Tourism.”
Furthermore, she stressed, “doing this through surfing, a sport closely linked to our island, allows us to connect with new audiences and convey an environmental responsibility message in an approachable, inspiring, and effective manner.”
According to Melwani, “collecting over 5,000 cigarette butts in just two hours shows that there is still much work to be done, but it also proves that when the community comes together, it is possible to create a real positive impact on our beaches.”
Cigarette butts are the most collected waste on coastlines worldwide and are among the most polluting, as each filter contains nicotine, heavy metals, and plastic that decompose in the marine environment for years, as noted by the Cabildo.
The surfboard presented serves as a concrete example of a circular economy applied to the coastline, turning a highly polluting waste into a functional product that raises awareness by visually demonstrating the impact of cigarette butts on the marine environment.
AN INTERNATIONAL MOVEMENT
The initiative is part of the Colillatón 2026 campaign by Surfrider Foundation, an international organisation dedicated to protecting oceans and coastlines.
Tenerife is joining a network of coordinated cleanups taking place in several countries this year.
The Arona City Council, via its Department of Environment, provided the necessary materials for the cleanup, and several local businesses also collaborated in the effort.
The event was also attended by Laura Coviella, who wanted to see firsthand the work being done by the project.
‘Surfing With Me’ will continue to organise clean-up days at various locations around Tenerife over the coming months. Interested individuals and entities can contact the team through the project’s official channels.
