This year's Horse Fair has left an excellent impression, not only for the atmosphere and the large number of visitors, but also for the commitment shown to the environment. The fairgrounds have witnessed unprecedented waste management, where the ecological awareness of attendees and booth owners has played a fundamental role in maintaining the venue in optimal condition throughout the week of festivities.
Following the conclusion of the celebrations on May 18th, official data reveals a reality that was already apparent during the days of revelry at the González Hontoria stadium. The volume of waste has increased, but this increase has been accompanied by a much more efficient sorting system than in past times, allowing the vast majority of what is generated not to simply end up in a landfill, but to have a second useful life.
A detailed breakdown of the trash collected on the premises
Getting into the numbers, which are no small matter, a total of 655.381 kilograms of waste have been recorded. If we compare this amount with the previous year, we find an increase of almost 77.000 kilos, which shows that the participation and consumption in the real Prices have been sky-high. What's truly important is that every gram has been processed through selective collection, separating organic matter from paper, packaging, and glass from the very beginning.
If we focus on specific materials, organic waste remains the main contributor at 625.100 kilos. However, the most recent news comes from the pure recycling sector: paper and cardboard have increased by almost 78%, while lightweight packaging has surpassed the 10.000-kilo mark. Glass has also brought joy with an increase of 26,6%, demonstrating that the booths have taken the practice of separating empty bottles to avoid mixing them with the rest of the garbage very seriously.
Key strategies for a cleaner and more committed trade fair
This management success didn't fall from the sky; it's the result of going all out with innovative measures. One of the most applauded has been the Door-to-door collection at the shedsThis has greatly facilitated the work of restaurant and bar owners. Furthermore, the installation of dedicated containers and the extension of collection hours have prevented the area from becoming overwhelmed with bags during peak times.
The city council has emphasized the excellent coordination that has existed between municipal workers and various entities such as Ecovidrio and Ecoembes. It has been a teamwork manualThe booth owners themselves have also played a significant role, lending a hand to ensure that sustainability is another pillar of the Jerez festival, thus offering a much higher quality service to all those who came to enjoy it.
The human capital behind the cleaning service
For this entire operation to run flawlessly, a considerable financial and logistical effort was required. The cleaning team not only worked tirelessly since the day before the lights went on, but it was also seen reinforced with 14% more staff compared to the last edition. This translates into approximately 1.300 days of temporary work, ensuring that both the fairgrounds and their surroundings looked impeccable each morning.
The increase in waste generated, far from being seen as a problem, is interpreted as a sign of the excellent health of this event, provided it is managed with the efficiency demonstrated this year. The commitment to a greener model seems to be here to stay, consolidating a trend where the efficiency in recycling and cleaning They are as important as the dancing itself or the local wine, ensuring that the environmental impact of these large gatherings is increasingly reduced.