Plastic (PET) Recycling Agreement for the Jubilee Year: Memorandum of Understanding Signed Between the Governorate of Vatican City State and Hera Group

As part of the celebrations for the Jubilee Year 2025, the Governorate of Vatican City State and Hera Group have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to launch targeted initiatives for the sustainable management of waste produced within the Vatican territory, with a particular focus on plastic (PET) bottles.

The initiative aims to put into practice the principles of a circular economy and the values outlined in Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato si’.

The first operational agreement under the MoU provides for the separate collection of PET bottles within Vatican City, specifically in the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Square, through Hera Group subsidiaries Herambiente and Aliplast.

During the pilot phase, volunteers—easily identifiable by their distinctive vests—will manage the collection points in the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Square. Bottles will be deposited in dedicated containers, then transported to facilities for sorting and recycling to allow their reuse.

Through this project, the Governorate reaffirms its concrete commitment to environmental protection, promoting sustainable and responsible practices in the context of great spiritual and ecclesial significance that embodies the Jubilee Year.