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As the world gears up for the 2024 Paris Olympics, if you weren’t already planning on tuning in, there’s another reason for people across the world to be paying extra attention to this year’s event. Paris has committed to delivering the most sustainable Olympics yet, and if done successfully, the Games could serve as inspiration for event organisers across the globe to adopt more sustainable practices, driving real, positive, change.
According to one research project, the Olympics has had a nonlinear path to sustainability, tending to worsen over time due to its increasing size and scale. But, if the Olympics can demonstrate that an event on such a scale can make a significant step on its journey to sustainability, we in the sustainability sector are eagerly watching on, hoping that it will spark a global movement towards more sustainable events.
One-off doesn’t have to mean single-use
Focusing in on zero waste at the Olympics this year, the organisers have implemented a reuse and recycle approach to every element of the event.
Events are typically ‘one-offs’ which can lead to a tendency to rely on single-use materials that are then thrown into landfill afterwards. In fact, research from the Environment Agency estimates that major sporting events can generate up to 750,000 plastic bottles apiece. However, it doesn’t need to be this way. And more importantly, the planet needs us to change our habits, fast.
Adopting a zero-waste mindset from the onset
When considering where to start with your sustainable journey, aiming for zero waste is a reasonable place to begin. To achieve this, all materials used at an event should be reusable and/or locally recyclable, and you must be able to demonstrate how the materials are recycled.
In the case of the Olympics, the organisers have focused on its core infrastructure - from using existing stadiums to seats being made from locally recycled plastic. And, according to the organisers, 90% of the six million assets will be reused, with the remaining 10% awaiting a second life once plans are finalised.
Zero waste is easily understandable for those without a sustainability background. So, while the Olympics will have a dedicated sustainability team, smaller event organisers who don’t have the resources to hire sustainability professionals can apply the methodology to their events fairly easily.
It’s important, however, that this is rolled out at the very beginning of the event planning. Sustainability cannot be an add-on. It must be integrated at every level. It won’t just be harder to integrate if sustainability is an afterthought, it could be nearly impossible if you have already committed to your partners and materials at the event. If it can be done on the global stage, hopefully, event planners and sporting events can be reassured that what may seem impossible is achievable with intentional decision-making.
The power of infinitely recyclable materials
Historically, plastic packaging solutions have been popular at events, typically due to its relatively low costs, light weight, and safety in comparison to the risk of breakable materials like glass. However, the UN Environment Programme reports that we produce over 400 million tonnes of plastic waste every year while less than 10% has been recycled – instead ending up in landfills and polluting our environment. According to recent research in the scientific journal, PLOS ONE, more than 171 trillion pieces of plastic are now estimated to be floating in the world's oceans. The scale of plastic damage is threatening wildlife, and change is necessary, immediately.
Creating a mandate that your events, including vendors and partners, must use reusable or infinitely recyclable materials will significantly reduce your material waste. For example, 80% of metal ever created is still in use today due to its infinitely recyclable qualities. Metal can also be advantageous as metal cups and cans can be washed and reused during the event, and then afterwards, collected for reuse and recycling.
The Olympics, for instance, has committed to reducing single-use plastic in its catering by 50%, and 100% of its catering equipment will be used after the Games. However, I challenge event organisers to take it one step further, reducing reliance on single-use plastic in its entirety.
A greener future
We’ve reached a point where prioritising sustainability is a non-negotiable if we want our planet to remain habitable for human life. The 2024 Olympics in Paris symbolises much more than a sporting event, and this year, it also has the potential to demonstrate that sustainability can be implemented on a global scale. Hopefully, inspiring events and businesses across the globe to start their sustainability journey too.