Ecodays
The widespread festival of environmental sustainability in Valdera
About Ecodays
A widespread sustainability festival in the heart of Tuscany
Ecodays is a major free event dedicated to the environment, the circular economy, and sustainability, held annually in Pontedera and the surrounding municipalities of the Valdera area, in the province of Pisa (Tuscany). Founded and promoted by Ecofor Service Spa, a local company specializing in the treatment and disposal of special waste, the festival has grown into one of the region's most important environmental outreach events, engaging schools, families, associations, and citizens of all ages.
A program spread across Pontedera, Ponsacco, and Cascina
The festival follows a widespread format: for about two weeks, dozens of events are hosted in theaters, squares, schools, and the company's own facilities across Pontedera, Ponsacco, and Cascina. The heart of the meetings is the Teatro Era in Pontedera, which hosts the opening and closing events with nationally renowned guests. The program alternates between scientific and cultural insights and more lighthearted, participatory activities designed to introduce the public to the themes of ecological transition without rhetoric.
Conferences, exhibitions, and awards
Recurring initiatives include the Ecoincontri, conferences featuring climatologists, philosophers of science, and science communicators; a widespread photography exhibition throughout the city center; the Ecofor Libri literary award, with sections dedicated to both adults and young people; and the Ecozoomer educational project, which rewards secondary school classes each year for their work on climate-related fake news. There are also guided tours of the Ecofor facilities in Gello, a site spanning approximately forty hectares that processes hundreds of thousands of tons of waste annually, exceptionally opened to the public.
Events for everyone, always free
Ecodays is designed for a broad audience: alongside conferences, there are workshops for children and teenagers, theatrical performances, sporting events like the Valdera Randonnée and Bikeday, second-hand markets (Carboot), and social gatherings. All events are free of charge, in line with the festival's civic and educational mission. For those visiting Valdera in the spring, Ecodays is an original way to discover Pontedera by combining culture, environment, and commitment to the local area.
Ecodays — edition 2026
The 2026 edition of Ecodays offered twelve days of free events dedicated to the environment and the circular economy, spread across Pontedera, Ponsacco, and Cascina, in the province of Pisa. The festival, promoted by Ecofor Service, confirmed its widespread format with dozens of appointments for schools, families, and citizens.
The opening, on Wednesday, May 6 at the Teatro Era in Pontedera, featured journalist Ezio Mauro with a reflection on the crisis of democracy, while the closing, on Sunday, May 17, brought together climatologist Serena Giacomin and the director of National Geographic Italia Marco Cattaneo. Other guests of the edition included philosopher of science Telmo Pievani and climatologist Luca Mercalli.
Programme Ecodays 2026
Wednesday, May 6 — Inauguration
- 21:15, Teatro Era (Pontedera) — Opening Ecoincontro with Ezio Mauro, former director of La Stampa and La Repubblica, on the crisis of democracy. Free admission.
Thursday, May 7
- Piaggio Museum (Pontedera) — International conference on the circular economy in Europe, with the participation of Ezio Mauro.
During the festival
- Photography exhibition "People Changing the World" (Climate Visuals project) along Corso Matteotti and at the Teatro Era, featuring sustainability stories from five continents.
- Literary award Ecofor Libri, with sections for adults and young people.
- Award ceremony for the Ecozoomer project: 22 secondary school classes awarded for their work on climate-related fake news.
- Guided tours of the Ecofor facilities in Gello (approx. 40 hectares, over 350,000 tons of waste treated annually).
- Theatrical performances in Pontedera and Ponsacco.
- Sporting events: 15th Valdera Randonnée and Bikeday.
- Second-hand markets Carboot on multiple dates, organized by Misericordia.
Saturday, May 16
- 9:00-13:00 and 15:00-17:00, Gello facilities — Guided tours for citizens.
- Photography exhibition open in the center of Pontedera.
Sunday, May 17 — Closing
- 9:00-13:00, Gello facilities — Final day of guided tours.
- 9:00-18:00, via Madre Teresa di Calcutta — Carboot, second-hand market.
- 18:30, Teatro Era — Concluding Ecoincontro with Serena Giacomin (Scientific Director of the Italian Climate Network) and Marco Cattaneo (Director of National Geographic Italia).
Highlights Ecodays 2026
Prices Ecodays 2026
Practical information — Ecodays
How to get there
Pontedera is easily reached by train (Pontedera-Casciana Terme station on the Florence-Pisa line) or by car via the FI-PI-LI highway, taking the Pontedera exit. Events are distributed between Pontedera, Ponsacco, and Cascina.
Main venues
Teatro Era in Pontedera, the city center (Corso Matteotti), the Ecofor facilities in Gello, and other locations in Valdera. The updated calendar is published on the official website.
Tickets
All events are free. Some meetings at the Teatro Era require reservation, subject to availability.
Information
Municipality of Pontedera, tel. +39 0587 299119. Full program at www.ecodays.it.
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Where does it take place — Ecodays
Teatro Era