Hera Group and the Vatican join forces for sustainability: plastic recovery project launched during the Jubilee
23/07/2025
A memorandum of understanding has been signed to launch joint initiatives for waste management during the Holy Year: the first trial will involve volunteers in St. Peter's Square and the Vatican Museums collecting and recovering PET bottles
The Hera Group and the Governorate of Vatican City State have signed a memorandum of understanding to develop joint circular economy and environmental sustainability projects, in line with the principles set out in the Encyclical Laudato Si’. The agreement consolidates the collaboration launched in 2024 between the multi-utility company and the Governorate for the management and recovery of urban waste.
The first operational agreement signed under the memorandum involves Herambiente and its subsidiary Aliplast, a leader in plastic regeneration, and includes the collection and subsequent recycling of PET bottles during major Jubilee events, inside the Vatican Museums and in St. Peter's Square, with the support of volunteers provided by the Vatican.
The initiative has two objectives: on the one hand, to reduce the environmental impact of the exceptional flow of visitors expected in Rome and the Vatican City – estimated at over 35 million for the Holy Year – and, on the other, to raise awareness among pilgrims and the international public about waste sorting and recycling.
The volunteers, identified by special vests provided by Herambiente and Aliplast, will organise the collection of bottles in special recyclable bags. The material will then be collected and sent for sorting and recycling at Aliplast's plants. The regenerated PET, in the form of flakes and/or granules, will then be used directly by the Vatican or employed in projects commissioned by the Governorate.
"This agreement is only the first step in a series of activities that we will develop jointly to meet the Vatican City State Governorate's commitment to implement the best circular economy practices available today on the market, leveraging our experience in waste management and recovery. The mutual goal is to combine a culture of sustainability and environmental protection with the highest levels of efficiency and innovation, in a unique venue like the Vatican City", said Andrea Ramonda, CEO of Herambiente.