Vuelta extends with green-focused partner

Spanish recycling and sustainability company Ecovidrio has renewed its sponsorship of the Vuelta a España cycling event.

The new agreement covers the 2018 Vuelta, which runs from August 25 to September 16.

As part of the deal, Ecovidrio will continue to promote the ‘Recycle glass and pedal’ initiative, which will involve volunteers collecting rubbish over a distance of two kilometres during eight stages of the race.

The partnership is designed to raise awareness among fans of the need to protect the environment and fight against waste disposal. Trophies awarded to stage winners during this year’s event will also be made of glass recycled by locals and sourced from specially-placed containers.

Ecovidrio will also donate ‘handbikes’ to the Foundation of the National Hospital for Paraplegic Research and Integration as part of the deal. Ex-cyclist Óscar Pereiro will be an ambassador for this initiative during the 2018 Vuelta.

Ecovidrio agreed the new deal with Unipublic, which operates the Vuelta.