On June 15-16, Bakuriani cleaning festival organized by "Sadagi" charity organization was held. Hundreds of volunteers from different regions of the country took part in the event. For the second year in a row, Tegeta Holding and Tegeta Green Planet joined Ecofest as a gold sponsor. In addition to sponsorship, about 30 employees of the holding company participated in Ecofest as volunteers.

The volunteers cleaned Bakuriani village and the adjacent territories in two days. Among the participants of the festival were employees of international organizations, embassies, companies, citizens, and foreign guests.

Tatia Khorbaladze, Head of Strategic Communications Department of Tegeta Holding: "Sadagi initiative is one of the most large-scale initiatives in the direction of environmental cleanup. Volunteers, companies with environmental and social responsibility unite around one goal - to clean and take care of the environment. Of course, Tegeta is always there for those who share with us the importance of environmental protection.

"This is the second year in a row that Tegeta has participated in Ecofest, but this year is special - this time we also provided an opportunity for the company's employees to participate in the event and contribute to cleaning up the environment. We believe that individual participation in such events contributes to making taking care of the environment our daily eco-habit."

Like last year, Tegeta Green Planet participated in the cleanup festival this time too. The holding company's subsidiary was established in 2022 precisely under the auspices of caring for the environment and has since made raising public awareness one of its top priorities.

Tegeta Green Planet says that the participation of different sectors will help reduce environmental impact and create a healthy ecosystem.

Shalva Akhvlediani, director of Tegeta Green Planet, stated: "We were happy to support Sadagi's initiative to clean up the territory of Bakuriani, one of the most important resorts in Georgia in terms of tourism.

The most important issue for Tegeta Green Planet is effective waste management. We attach special importance to raising awareness in this direction. When citizens also participate in such events, the idea of caring for the environment finds practical expression. That is why it is important for each of us to participate and support such initiatives".

Anyone could take part in the festival. Transportation of volunteers from Tbilisi to Bakuriani was provided by Sadagi Company. This charitable organization has existed for three years already and several times a month it cleans different territories. On the initiative of the organization last year for the first time a festival of Bakuriani clean-up was held.

Maya Mestumre, Head of Marketing and Communications at Sadagi: "This year's festival included the cleaning of Bakuriani village itself, as well as the forests, fields and roadside around it. When the idea to organize Ecofest came up, our goal was to show local residents and vacationers that there are people who come to Bakuriani on purpose and are ready to clean up the waste left by others. Thanks to this example, others became willing to join this process.

Last year hundreds of volunteers joined the festival; this year's activity was very high. We are glad that many companies show high corporate responsibility and are ready to organize and take care of our country with or without us.

I believe that gradually more and more people will care about cleaning the country and keeping it clean and tidy. This is our goal: for people to start thinking more about ecology and realize that one dropped ice cream paper or plastic bottle directly affects our health".

About 400 volunteers took part in the Ecofest. More than 86,500 liters of waste were collected. This year, like last year, the two-day festival, in addition to the cleanup, included fun informative and entertaining activities, including a seminar on environmental issues, a live concert, a barbecue and much more.

The goal of this year's festival remains the same: to remind citizens of the importance of not littering, and to form the habit of protecting and cleaning the environment; to help them understand the role of each of us in the process of caring for the environment.