Go Green is a partnership project between ESN Portugal and the company Contisystems under their MERECE movement for the recycling of cards with electronic components!

 

 

This project holds significant relevance to ESN due to its direct alignment with our core cause of Environmental Sustainability. Annually, we produce a substantial number of ESNcards, yet a considerable portion remains unused, resulting in wastage. Go Green addresses this pressing issue by repurposing these unused cards, thereby mitigating environmental impact and reducing waste accumulation. 

 

The accumulation of unused ESNcards within our sections is a primary concern that prompted the development of Go Green. These cards, purchased by students online but left unclaimed, contribute to excess inventory and ultimately add to waste. By implementing this project, we not only tackle this challenge head-on but also demonstrate our commitment to environmental responsibility.

 

Through Go Green, we transform a potential source of waste into a valuable resource, promoting a culture of reuse and sustainability within our organisation. By actively engaging in initiatives like MERECE, we reinforce our dedication to environmental stewardship and further solidify our position as champions of sustainability within the ESN community.


 

WHAT IS MERECE?

 

MERECE is a business movement for the recycling of cards with electronic components. This movement was born out of Contisystems’ desire to do more to minimise the environmental impact of its electronic card production activity. This is the movement that inspired the Go Green project!

 

 

 

Contisystems aims to involve as many card issuers as possible, to encourage companies, organisations and individuals to contribute to the environmentally responsible treatment of cards with electronic components. To start the company collects all the unwanted cards, which then shreds. After being shredded, the waste will be sent to a company that will use it to make street furniture!

 

 

In addition, the company offsets the carbon emissions generated by cardboard production by planting trees. For every kilo of waste collected, MERECE will plant a tree!

 

 

PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION 2024

 

ESN Portugal will conduct 2 to 3 card deliveries, to Contisystems, until March 2025. 

To meet this objective, we are facilitating the collection of electronic cards from international students through our 13 local sections. These collected cards, which may include unwanted ESNcards, transportation cards, or others, will be amassed at each local section and subsequently delivered to ESN Portugal during national events.

 

Our objective is to sustain this project over subsequent years and consistently gather unwanted cards.

While the primary focus remains on collecting ESNcards, the long-term aim is to broaden the

scope to include any unwanted cards from international students, thereby expanding the reach

and impact of the project.

 

2024 GOALS

 

✓ Gathering of 1500 cards

As of May 2024, we have collected 11kg of unwanted cards (approx. 1837 cards)!

 

✓  Campaign at the end of the academic year

We ensured a campaign at the end of the Spring Semester 2023/2024 to collect cards of students who were finalising their mobility period. We will do the same for the end of the Winter Semester 2024/2025!

 

✓ Campaign in one international event

We will have an international collection of cards during the international event, SWEP Aveiro 2024, where volunteers from ESN Spain, ESN France, ESN Italy and ESN Malta will also contribute to this project!

 

✓ Pontual campaign/event

We will be collecting unwanted cards gathered by our local sections during all ESN Portugal national events until the 31st of December 2024 (4 events in total)!

 

✓ Constant card gathering in local sections

We implemented card collection boxes in the ESN offices of our local sections. However, we are working towards having collection points at Higher Education Institutions, to promote this project to a larger audience!