Ecovidrio, the non-profit organization in charge of managing the recycling of glass container waste in Spain, and the Spanish Basketball Federation have presented the initiative in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento de València Recycle glass, 100% successful, with the aim of promoting the recycling of glass containers during Women's Eurobasket 2021 celebration , which will be played in the city from June 17 to 27.
The campaign presentation ceremony was attended by Mireia MollàMinister of Agriculture, Rural Development, Climate Emergency and Ecological Transition; Paula Tuzónregional secretary for Climate Emergency and Ecological Transition of the Generalitat Valenciana; Sergi Campillo, Deputy Mayor and Councilor for Urban Ecology of the Valencia City Council; Pilar Bernabé, Councilor for Sports; Jorge Garbajosa, president of the FEB (Spanish Basketball Federation), Borja MartiarenaCEO of Ecovidrio and Sara Sorribes, artisan and glass designer, from Vidrio Sorribes.
The Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development, Climate Emergency and Ecological Transition, Mireia Mollà, has pointed out that the giant container is a symbol and a recognition of the commitment of citizenship that each year increases the number of recovery and separate collection.
"The commitment of the people also counts on the impulse of the administrations in the matter of reduction, reuse and recovery", has indicated Mollà in reference to the implantation of the complete circularity in the systems of management of the glass. A 100% glass recovery module that already works in a dozen treatment plants throughout the country and that will continue to add new facilities next year. Along these lines, the regional minister stressed that these initiatives are the result of planning and collaboration "to place the Community at the forefront in circular management and in initiatives to transform the waste stream into the resource stream."
“Sustainability has been a priority concept in the organization of this EuroBasket and we could not find a better partner than Ecovidrio. Through sustainable policies and in favor of the environment, the legacy that Valencia will receive from this tournament is generated. A commitment that the FEB has made its own. Because we do not ignore our social responsibility. Without a doubt, the growth of women's basketball is our main priority and this EuroBasket is an excellent tool to achieve it, but nothing we do can be foreign to a cleaner and better planet, "he says, Jorge GarbajosaPresident of the Spanish Basketball Federation.
For his part, the Vice Mayor of Valencia and Councilor for Urban Ecology, Sergi Campillopointed out that "the city is proud that the women's Eurobasket is being held here and we also want to take advantage of this great event to promote recycling." Campillo highlighted that Valencia in just five years has increased glass recycling by 8%. For the deputy mayor “glass being the first material that began to be recycled in our streets, thanks to the famous igloos, it is true that we still have room for maneuver and proof of this are the different campaigns that we have carried out and that have resulted in a increase of a thousand tons of glass collected between 2015 and 2020, going from 12,100 tons to 13,100 tons, and these data are a stimulus to continue on this path of improvement of our recycling policies ”.
In order to Borja MartiarenaEcovidrio's marketing director, “recycling and sport share many values such as commitment, responsibility, effort and, above all, teamwork. On this occasion, an international tournament such as the women's Eurobasket is a great speaker to spread our message about the importance of recycling glass to combat climate change. And this message makes even more sense in the city of Valencia, which has always had a high commitment regarding the recycling of glass containers.
Women's EuroBasket 2021: "Recycling glass, 100% successful"
On this occasion, Ecovidrio wants to be at the height and, never better said in a literal sense, making a nod to the length of the basketball stars who will play the EuroBasket 2021.
For this reason, the entity has placed in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento de Valencia the largest container in the world, eight meters high, which will display the colors of the women's basketball team and the slogan "recycle glass, 100% successful" to highlight the importance of recycling glass containers in the fight against climate change and the transition towards a circular economy. This imposing container will remain in our city from today until June 27 and will become an emblem of this international celebration.
Another of the actions implemented, and with which we want to give greater visibility to the campaign, is the location of twelve igloos in the shape of basketballs distributed in different parts of the city. Specifically, these original pieces can be found in the Fonteta area, the pavilion where the championship will be held; in the City of Arts and Sciences, in front of the Reina Sofía Palace of the Arts; at the Palau de la Música; in the Paseo de la Alameda; on Serrería avenue; in the avenue of the Port; on the Gran Vía Marqués del Turia and at different points in the city center such as the Estación del Norte; the Colón Market; Colón Street, Cirilo Amorós and Plaza América.
As a culmination, Ecovidrio has been in charge of preparing the recycled glass trophies that will be awarded to the best quintet in the competition on June 27, coinciding with the end of the championship.
Glass recycling data in Valencia
According to the latest data for 2020, the inhabitants of Valencia recycled a total of 13,136,550 kilograms of glass containers, which means that each inhabitant recycled an average of 16.4 kg.
Regarding the containerization rate, Valencia has an average of 294 inhabitants per container, with a total of 2,719 igloos for glass container waste installed.
Environmental benefits of recycling
During 2020, Valencians have continued to become aware of the importance of caring for the environment. Thus, the recycling of glass containers has been, for yet another year, a perfect example of a circular economy model, also supporting the 2030 Agenda and up to six Sustainable Development Goals. Specifically, during the past year, thanks to glass recycling, it has been achieved:
• Avoid the emission of 7,618 tons of CO2, an amount equivalent to taking 3,557 cars off the road for one year.
• Avoid the extraction of 15,763 tons of raw materials (sand, soda and limestone), more than 1.5 times the weight of the Eiffel Tower.
• Save 9,831 MWh of energy.
