Benidorm aims to revalidate the Green Flag for glass recycling this summer

Benidorm City Council and more than 320 local hospitality establishments will participate this summer in the sixth edition of Ecovidrio's #GreenFlagMovement. This campaign seeks, once again, to recognise the efforts of the local hospitality industry and the activism of coastal municipalities for circularity during the summer, especially regarding proper waste management. Benidorm is participating in renewing the Green Flag for sustainability and glass recycling for the fifth consecutive year. Thus, the city will compete with up to 47 municipalities in the Valencian Community. Benidorm has already won the Green Flag on several occasions and has become a national benchmark in hospitality sustainability.

As a new feature, in addition to the coveted Green Flag, this year the municipalities in each autonomous community that obtain the highest scores will be awarded a day of cleaning one of their beaches, which Ecovidrio will carry out in collaboration with the organization Paisaje Limpio, an entity specialized in coordinating these types of environmental initiatives.

Likewise, this year, Ecovidrio will recognise the two hospitality establishments most responsible and committed to sustainability in the Valencian Community, evaluating their initiatives to improve waste recycling management, their energy and water consumption, and their commitment to sustainable purchasing, among other factors. In addition, the award-winning hospitality establishments will once again enjoy an exclusive masterclass and a multi-course tasting session led by renowned chef Ricard Camarena, awarded the Michelin Green Star.

The Councillor for the Environment, Mónica Gómez, and representatives from Ecovidrio presented the campaign this morning in the city and highlighted the involvement of the hospitality sector as a "key pillar" in achieving this award, which recognises the collective efforts of municipalities, citizens, and businesses for a more sustainable development model.

Gómez noted that "Benidorm is a city committed to the environment year-round, but in summer we redouble our efforts because we know it is a key time to advance the circular economy." He also thanked the establishments for their massive participation and encouraged them to continue working together to promote recycling.

In the words of Roberto Fuentes, Deputy Director of Management for the Eastern Zone of Ecovidrio and head of the Green Flags Movement: "Once again this year, we are very proud to be able to celebrate a new edition of the Green Flags Movement and to once again count on the support of hotel and restaurant owners and municipalities to respond to the significant increase in waste generation seen in coastal areas with a high tourist index in summer." Fuentes expressed his gratitude for "the commitment of all the municipalities and the HORECA sector for participating in this competition to promote recycling and the sustainable development of our environment."

Ecovidrio reported that more than 30% of the total glass packaging generated for the year is generated during the summer months, and that 50% comes from the HORECA channel. Therefore, the campaign includes personalised visits from environmental educators, distribution of special bins, and a monitoring system to encourage effective recycling.

Nationwide, this year, more than 180 municipalities and more than 15,000 restaurants, bars, and beach bars will join the #GreenFlagsMovement. This year, in addition to Andalusia, the Balearic Islands, Catalonia, the Valencian Community, and Murcia, the campaign will also include Cantabria, reaching six Spanish coastal regions.
3rd Baronet of Sustainability

Ecovidrio will once again launch a new edition of the Barometer on Hospitality Sustainability in coastal areas this year. This is the third edition of this initiative, which aims to evaluate the implementation of sustainable practices in the HORECA sector, analysing four key areas: efficient waste management, energy efficiency, responsible consumption, and sustainable water use.

In the second edition of the barometer, which included the participation of more than 12,000 hospitality establishments, it was revealed that 7 out of 10 establishments located in coastal areas already implement sustainability measures in their business management.