Ride Green, the sustainability project aimed at safeguarding the areas affected by the race through separate waste collection, was created in 2016. It aims to reduce the effects of the passage of the Corsa Rosa, through the correct management of the waste flows produced by the race, using a traceability system.

With the help of over 200 volunteers and numerous local companies, also coordinated by the ERICA cooperative, the waste produced in the various locations is collected in special ecological islands positioned at strategic points of each stage, and subsequently sent for recycling to be put back into the production cycle.

In this process, support comes from the municipalities hosting the race’s stage starts and finishes, which act as an intermediary for the promotion of the initiative, guaranteeing an effective supervision that allows the Giro d’Italia to place itself on the international scene as an increasingly green event, capable of spreading the principles of sustainability and making the public, local administrations, partners and all the athletes involved ever more aware.

This year, the Giro d’Italia’s environmental commitment is expanding through a new partnership with VAIA, Sustainability Partner of the 2026 edition.

VAIA, a certified B-Corp and benefit company founded in the aftermath of the 2018 storm of the same name, becomes part of the Ride Green program with a concrete project aimed at regenerating affected territories.

During April, 3,000 trees will be replanted across three Dolomite areas – between Trentino, Veneto, and Friuli Venezia Giulia – with the active participation of the public.

Three reforestation days are scheduled in Darzo (Valdonea), Canazei (Penia), and Claut (Lesis).

These initiatives are linked to stages 17 (Cassano d’Adda–Andalo), 19 (Feltre–Alleghe), and 20 (Gemona del Friuli–Piancavallo), creating a meaningful connection between the race and the landscapes it crosses.

It is an initiative that actively involves local communities and territories, leaving behind a tangible and lasting positive impact.

This year, 70,648.50 kg of waste was collected, with over 92% sent for recycling — a notable increase compared to the previous year’s 84%. This impressive figure highlights the crucial role played by local institutions, host cities, regional authorities, commercial partners, fans, and athletes.

Each edition also includes recognition for the locations with the highest separate waste collection (RD) rates.

Top Starts

• Ceglie Messapica (Puglia): 95.683% RD
• Morbegno (Lombardy): 95.396% RD
• Potenza (Basilicata): 94.693% RD

Top Finishes

• Cesano Maderno (Lombardy): 95.904% RD
• Champoluc (Aosta Valley): 94.182% RD
• Siena (Tuscany): 93.764% RD

RD = Raccolta Differenziata (Separate Waste Collection)

Ride Green is not limited to recycling alone. In recent years, the initiative has expanded to include programs like BiciScuola, which focuses on environmental education, and Giro-E, a platform promoting sustainable mobility.

Giro d’Italia Ride Green is also a key component of R-INTENTS, a project designed to assess the real environmental and social impact of large-scale events such as the Giro d’Italia and the Milano Marathon. The initiative fosters open dialogue with stakeholders and seeks to develop shared solutions that support the transition to regenerative economic models. For the past three years, RCS Sport has partnered with NATIVA – Regenerative Design Company to support this journey.