Building a life-size Burgos Cathedral from recycled cardboard
At Smurfit Westrock, we are proud to contribute to one of this year’s most inspiring cultural initiatives in Spain: the collaborative construction of a large-scale replica of Burgos Cathedral, made entirely from recycled cardboard.
As part of the 24th EnClave de Calle Festival and in support of Burgos’ bid to become the European Capital of Culture 2031, our team in Spain donated more than 3 tons of recycled cardboard to bring this ambitious project to life. The installation, designed by French artist Olivier Grossetête, was built using 3,000 cardboard boxes produced at our Burgos facility — all made from 100% recycled material.
The structure was assembled by hundreds of volunteers from the local community, symbolizing the power of collective creativity and sustainable design. Alongside the cathedral, a replica of the Covarrubias Bridge was also constructed, further enriching the cultural significance of the event.
The installation was unveiled Sept. 11 and remained on display until Sept. 14, when the public was invited to take part in a symbolic “deconstruction,” reinforcing the participatory spirit of the project.
Ángel Gómez, general manager of our Burgos plant, said:
“This collaboration reflects our commitment to the communities in which we operate. We want innovation and sustainable materials to also help drive culture and generate experiences that strengthen collective identity.”
30 Years of Innovation and Solidarity in Burgos
With more than 30 years of operation, our Burgos plant has become a benchmark for sustainable packaging, producing nearly 300 million boxes in the past year alone. But our impact goes beyond manufacturing. The team also organized the Smurfit Westrock Charity Race, now the second-largest race in the city, which has raised more than €100,000 over five editions.
This latest initiative is another example of how we continue to support projects that blend sustainability, community engagement and cultural enrichment.
Smurfit Westrock has a deep commitment to supporting the communities in which we live and work and championing the vulnerable. Each year our employees continue to generously give their time, energy, and expertise, to empower communities, encourage wellbeing and inspire future generations.