EARTH sets ambitious goal for EcoRomeria 2013
During a press conference on July 15, EARTH University and representatives from the Archbishop of San Jose, the Ministry of Environment and Energy (MINAE), the Ministry of Health (MINSA) and the municipalities of Cartago, La Union and Curridabat announced the third edition of EcoRomeria. EARTH is one of the principal organizers of this initiative, a civic education program which aims to eliminate litter and effectively sort waste generated during Costa Rica’s largest public event.
EcoRomero welcomes the pilgrims on their journey to the Basilica de Los Angeles.
The estimated two million participants in this religious pilgrimage will start their journey on August 1st and 2nd, and finish their walk at the Basilica de Los Angeles, located in the Cartago province of Costa Rica. During the conference, EcoRomeria’s organizers called upon pilgrims to maintain their promise to correctly discard of their waste to facilitate recycling.
“Last year we were able to correctly classify 87 percent of the waste collected during EcoRomeria; this year we are aiming for 90 percent,” affirmed EARTH president José Zaglul.
This year the collection route will cover 20 kilometers, three more than in the previous two years. Approximately 1,200 volunteers will operate the 71 waste sorting stations along the pilgrimage route, as well as a learning center for environmentally friendly practices. Waste will be sorted into four categories: organic waste; plastic containers; glass and aluminum containers; and all other materials.
This third edition of EcoRomeria was made possible thanks to the generous support of the following corporate sponsors: BAC Credomatic, Coca-Cola and Durman.
