Tinos has officially joined an innovative recycling network, as the residents and visitors of one of the most beautiful islands of the Cyclades can now digitally record the packaging they recycle and see live how much they are protecting the environment.

This is the Whywasteme recycling network, with more than 70 points throughout Tinos.

This is the first application for mobile phones in Greece (mobile app), which personifies the efforts to protect the Greek seas and coasts, mobilizing residents and tourists to increase recycling.

Its official presentation took place the previous week, in the context of the opening event of the initiative “Towards a sustainable Tinos with zero plastic waste” under the auspices of the Municipality of Tinos, with the support of the international organization Beyond Plastic Med and coordinated by KON.SE.P Kalloni who operates the recycling unit in Tinos.

Residents, businessmen and tourists of Tinos download the application for free and create their own profile. Then, they can scan empty packages and discard them in the bins of the Municipality of Tinos that are shown on the digital map of the application.

For each package recorded in the application, users earn environmental points that are automatically converted into donations for the protection of the marine environment.

Every five points is equivalent to 1 euro, which the users of the application can donate to three NGOs (iSea, All for Blue, Aegean Rebreath,) that are active in cleaning the seabed and the coasts in Greece. At the same time, users can see the performance of their friends, compete with them and invite other users to a unique recycling game.

Users who recycle the most packaging this summer will win prizes from innovative Greek company PHEE, which gives a second life to plant waste such as seaweed, tea and coffee grounds and more – helping to reduce greenhouse gases.

Through its circular technology, PHEE develops new surfaces replacing conventional materials in construction and furniture, as well as utilitarian objects in collaboration with Greek brands and designers.

The Whywasteme app is available for free on Android and iOS at whywasteme.org and can be used for any single-use plastic, paper, glass or aluminum packaging. It enables users to register new packaging and add recycling points themselves, anywhere in Greece.