First air cleaning hoarding

Ruwini JAYAWARDANA

Asia’s first mechanical air cleaning hoarding, a billboard that actually filters certain harmful contents from the surrounding air, purifies the air and releases the purified air back into the environment, was unveiled in Polhengoda yesterday.

The innovative concept is the brainchild of BBDO Lanka, a part of BBDO World Wide. Speaking at the launch, BBDO Lanka Managing Director Santosh Menon said the concept can be introduced as Sri Lanka’s export to the world.

“We wanted to make a contribution to the environment. We started off the project by becoming the first ‘Carbon Neutral’ advertising agency in South Asia. We are not trying to sell this as a product.”

It is environment friendly concept that we have introduced free of charge to the world. It is open to any company to take up the idea and make it onto a bigger and better reality. There is always room for improvement. The state can offer it as a locally conceptualized idea to environmental organizations around the world,” he said.

“Around one million deaths are recorded each day globally due to carbon carbon pollution. Now the citizens in populated cities around the world can breath easy by establishing mechanical air cleaning hoardings. The air cleaning hoarding comprises a mechanical filter and activated carbon which draws in air from the back of the billboard. It filters dust particles and certain gasses that are most harmful for breathe. The purified air is then released into the environment.

It is electronically functioned but can be adjusted to working via solar panels too. It holds the capacity of 3100 cubic meter of air,” he said. Commenting on the initiative Environmental Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa said it is heartening to see companies working towards conservation the environment.

“We often forget the importance of the air we breath because of our hectic lifestyle. I request all the companies in Sri Lanka to adopt this technology and carry it forward,” he said.

Speaking at the event Deputy Environment Minister Abdul Cader said, “Many great ideas start small but the initiative has the potential to influence lives with BBDO Lanka’s commitment and with the support and partnership of companies across the island.”