Zibel and AKTI unite for a better environment through a community-based approach

Local NGO, Zibel, has implemented the international environmental initiative of the Cypriot NGO, known as #Potavristou. “Potavristou” is a word used in the Cypriot dialect which roughly translates to “reach out” or “lend a hand”. September is the month of #potavristou! Every year since September of 2019, AKTI organises the action #potavristou. It’s simple: every person or friend group can reach out, wherever they are, pick up the rubbish that lies around them, count it and send a message to AKTI’s social media, including the data and pictures. Alternatively, the participants can upload the pictures of the clean up on their own social media accounts and write #potavristou, #akti, and this year Maltese citizens add #Zibel to the post’s description.

In the past four years of #potavristou, 7772 volunteers from 843 locations in Cyprus and 155 locations abroad participated in this initiative, collecting 47 tons of garbage and thus preventing this huge amount of trash from starting the catastrophic cycle, reaching the sea and returning 'vengefully' back to us in the form of microplastics. From its very first year, #potavristou received lots of international attention for its originality and additionally received many international awards (eg awarded by the Ocean Conservancy in 2020 and received the Carob award of 2022, for the most successful social media campaign.

We've all seen it - litter scattered on streets, beaches, and parks. It's not a pretty sight, is it? That's why Zibel supports the initiative of the Cypriot AKTI to address this issue head-on. By launching the #potavristou campaign in Malta, they aim to highlight the significance of individual actions in maintaining a clean environment.

The beauty of the #potavristou campaign lies in its simplicity. Simply picking up any trash spotted during an individual's daily routine. Whether it’s plastic waste on the beach or a stray candy wrapper on the sidewalk, every piece of litter removed contributes to making our communities cleaner and healthier. It is important to dispose the waste collected responsibly. This campaign encourages people to share their cleanup stories and tag Zibel and AKTI on social media platforms and inspire others to follow suit using the hashtag #Potavristou.

This campaign follows the already ongoing collaboration between AKTI, the NGO Zibel and GSD Marketing Ltd with the programme Zero Waste HoReCa which is funded by the Coca-Cola Foundation. This program helps HoReCa outlets on how to reduce carbon emissions, water usage and waste.

The #potavristou campaign with its international expansion is a breath of fresh air in our fight against litter and pollution. By encouraging individuals to pick up trash, share their cleanup stories on social media, and use the hashtag #potavristou, this initiative sparks a sense of ownership and responsibility for our surroundings and promotes citizens science. Together, let's embrace this call to action, make a positive difference, and pave the way for a cleaner, greener future.