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Climate activists heap up 650,000 cigarette butts in Portugal

Climate activists in Portugal collected enough stubs to fill 40 plastic buckets, then heaped them into a mound for the German climate campaigner behind the stunt to climb on.

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Climate activists heap up 650,000 cigarette butts in Portugal

Climate activists gathered 650,000 cigarette butts and piled them up in the heart of Portugal's capital Lisbon on Sunday to raise awareness about the often-overlooked form of pollution.

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Climate activists heap up 650,000 cigarette butts in Portugal

They collected enough stubs to fill 40 plastic buckets, then heaped them into a mound for the German climate campaigner behind the stunt to climb on.

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Climate activists heap up 650,000 cigarette butts in Portugal

Andreas Noe wore a breathing apparatus to protect him from the toxins in the non-biodegradable butts.

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Climate activists heap up 650,000 cigarette butts in Portugal

"We asked everyone in Portugal to take part in this community project to raise awareness about plastic pollution, because plastic is hidden in cigarette butts and many people don't know it," the 34-year-old said.

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Climate activists heap up 650,000 cigarette butts in Portugal

He said the simple cigarette butt was a "beautiful example of how someone can start to take action" against littering, ocean pollution and ultimately the climate crisis.

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Climate activists heap up 650,000 cigarette butts in Portugal

Two years ago, the activist and surfing enthusiast collected about a million cigarette butts in two months.

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Climate activists heap up 650,000 cigarette butts in Portugal

"We want to put an end to this problem by encouraging people to throw their butts in the bin or pocket ashtrays -- anywhere but on the ground," said David Figueira, who took part in the project.

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Climate activists heap up 650,000 cigarette butts in Portugal
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Climate activists heap up 650,000 cigarette butts in Portugal
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Climate activists heap up 650,000 cigarette butts in Portugal
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Climate activists heap up 650,000 cigarette butts in Portugal
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Climate activists heap up 650,000 cigarette butts in Portugal
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Climate activists heap up 650,000 cigarette butts in Portugal
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Climate activists heap up 650,000 cigarette butts in Portugal
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Climate activists heap up 650,000 cigarette butts in Portugal