The Los Dolores festivities in Lanzarote have become the most attended, noted for their efforts to maintain traditional values, including respect for the natural environment. Despite measures implemented by the Cabildo and local councils, not all initiatives prove effective.
A prime example of this problem is the use of supermarket shopping carts to transport belongings during the pilgrimage to the hermitage of Mancha Blanca. While convenient for pilgrims, especially the younger ones, these carts pose a significant issue. Beyond the theft from supermarkets, the pilgrimage organizers prohibit their entry into the Mancha Blanca plaza, leading to their abandonment along the route the following day.
To date, no effective solution has been proposed to prevent people from using these carts, a practice dating back to the pilgrimage's origins. The scene post-event, before cleanup crews intervened, was dire, with tons of garbage and dozens of trolleys from various supermarkets scattered around.
A photograph taken on Sunday morning, behind the main stage, illustrates the scale of the problem. These carts, taken from supermarkets to be part of the pilgrimage, end up abandoned and likely destined for recycling. Without a solution, the same situation is expected to recur next year.
