Rogue Travelers Launch “Garbage”: A Pioneer Campaign for the Sustainability of the Camino de Santiago with More than 1,000 Pilgrims Mobilized
SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA, Spain – In an unprecedented effort to preserve the beauty and balance of the Camino de Santiago, Rogue Travelers, a leading company in organizing groups for this iconic route, has launched its innovative sustainability campaign: «Garbage». Started on August 1, this ambitious initiative seeks to mobilize more than 1,000 pilgrims to actively clean the trails and promote responsible tourism.
The Camino de Santiago, beyond its deep cultural and spiritual meaning, is an ecosystem that supports the passage of more than 400,000 people every year. This massive influx, unfortunately, has caused a silent accumulation of waste that threatens the integrity of its natural environment.
“Trash”: A Simple Action for a Giant Impact
Faced with this reality, Viajeros Canallas has proposed a solution that is as simple as it is powerful. The "Basuraleza" project consists of giving each pilgrim a backpack that contains a reusable bag and an information brochure. The objective is clear: encourage walkers to collect the waste they find during each stage. At the end of the day, the bags are emptied at designated points, contributing to the removal of more than 10,000 kilos of garbage in the coming months.
Alberto Lence, founder of Viajeros Canallas and an experienced connoisseur of the Camino, with more than 5,000 kilometers traveled on foot, underlines the philosophy behind the initiative: «We wanted to demonstrate that with a small daily action you can generate a huge impact. The Camino has given us so much, that now we feel the need to give something back. Picking up a piece of plastic is easy, but it is also a gesture of love for this route that transforms us so much.
Beyond a Campaign: A Conscious and Permanent Attitude
"Trash" is not just a one-time campaign; is conceived as a conscious and permanent pilgrim attitude. This initiative reinforces the idea that enjoying natural environments and being an active part of their conservation are intrinsic aspects of sustainable tourism, especially in a place as emblematic as the Camino de Santiago.
To date, more than 1,000 volunteer pilgrims They have already joined this effort, and the number continues to rise. The campaign is open to everyone, both to those who travel with Viajeros Canallas and to independent pilgrims who wish to contribute their "grain of sand." Those interested in participating can request their bag at the delivery points or through their group with Viajeros Canallas, or simply spread the word about the initiative to maximize its reach.
While some focus on the challenges of the Camino, this community has chosen to add and leave the world a little better than they found it. On the Camino, that positive change begins with a simple bag and a gesture of love for the route.
