Gijón launches participatory campaign to raise awareness about glass recycling

The Gijón City Council, through EMULSA Medioambiente, has launched a new initiative aimed at raising public awareness about glass recycling. This campaign took place on 9 and 10 October in various locations across the city centre, in collaboration with Ecovidrio and Cogersa.

The initiative is part of a broader autumn campaign for glass recycling in Asturias, focusing on direct engagement with the public. It aims to remind residents of the importance of correctly separating glass bottles, jars, and containers and depositing them in the designated green bins.

Specialised environmental education staff were present, along with a mobile stand called "Vidriandante", designed to enhance visibility for the campaign and facilitate interaction in high-traffic areas. A key educational resource was a digital game titled "Vuelta al verde", which utilised tablets to present questions and challenges aimed at teaching participants how to distinguish between recyclable glass and other waste.

Participants who completed the activities received a reusable bag as a reward. The campaign's primary goal was to address common misconceptions, clarify doubts, and demonstrate how simple daily actions can contribute to natural resource conservation, environmental impact reduction, and progress towards a circular economy.

This initiative is part of ongoing efforts by the City Council, EMULSA, Ecovidrio, and Cogersa to improve waste separation in Gijón. Throughout 2026, various actions targeting both the public and the hospitality sector have been implemented, including informative campaigns and tailored awareness activities to meet the needs of different audiences.

Notably, a campaign aimed at local hospitality businesses has provided guidance on proper glass container separation and ways to enhance selective collection. Additionally, public information initiatives have been promoted in areas with potential for increased recycling, combining data analysis with on-the-ground interventions.

EMULSA also maintains a continuous line of information and awareness regarding other waste fractions. Campaigns to promote separate collection of organic waste, alongside the dissemination of messages about appropriate and inappropriate waste management behaviours through the initiative #LoQueSí. #LoQueNo, aim to establish daily habits that contribute to a cleaner, more attractive, and sustainable city.

These actions are complemented by improvements in municipal services and equipment to facilitate source separation. This includes expanding options for organic waste disposal in urban areas, extending separate collection of domestic pruning and mowing waste, and establishing nearby clean points to improve special waste management in neighbourhoods.

As part of the Gijón Zero Waste Municipal Plan, these information and awareness campaigns contribute to the development of the Gijón/Xixón 2025-2030 roadmap, which aims to prevent and reduce waste, increase separate collection, facilitate recycling, and promote reuse and circular economy practices. The plan outlines strategic lines focused on raising awareness, providing information to citizens, and implementing measures to facilitate waste separation and deposit, encourage good practices, and combat mixed waste disposal.

Ultimately, the glass recycling campaign reinforces a fundamental idea: improving environmental outcomes requires accessible collection services, clear information, and daily collaboration from citizens. Correctly separating waste and using the appropriate containers are simple actions that, when combined, help optimise material use and reduce the amount of waste that cannot be recovered.

EMULSA will continue to collaborate on awareness initiatives and improve waste management to move towards a more circular Gijón/Xixón, where preventing, reusing, and recycling become increasingly common habits.