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Top storyReusability helps push Paris 2024 to new sustainable standards
The Paris 2024 Olympic Games has set new sustainability standards, according to organisers, with reuse at its core.
A second life has been secured for 90% of equipment and goods used at the Games which amounts to roughly six million items.
Much of the equipment is due to be used for the city’s hosting of the Paralympic Games from August 28 to September 8.
But after that, they are set to be rehomed.
The sand used for the beach volleyball courts has been promised to a club in the Paris region, while approximately 600,000 items of office furniture leased from Lyreco will be taken back and used by the French company to launch a second-hand furniture business.
The 14,000 or so mattresses made from recycled plastic in the Olympic Village will be given to the French army and the cardboard bases will be recycled.
Paris 2024 logos are also due to be taken off podiums for use elsewhere around the capital city.
Final deals are being worked out for the remaining 10% of items that cannot be reused, according to Paris 2024 Director for Environmental Excellence, Georgina Grenon.
Another instance where reuse was prioritised at the Games was seen in the Olympic Village.
“We can say that Paris has already established new standards for more sustainable events and more sustainable Olympic Games overall.”
It is set to be transformed into a new residential and business eco-district constructed with 30% less carbon compared to a regular French build.
It will feature 2,800 apartments for 6,000 people, with a quarter of it designated as social housing for the people of Seine-Saint-Denis.
“Today, Paris 2024 is proving that it is possible to stage spectacular, inclusive and unique Games in a more responsible, more sustainable and more useful manner,” said International Olympic Committee Head of Olympic Games Impact and Legacy Tania Braga.
“We can say that Paris has already established new standards for more sustainable events and more sustainable Olympic Games overall.”
Despite the increased focus on sustainability throughout Paris 2024, the Games have also faced criticism because of its sponsors.
Major corporate partners such as steelmaker Arcelor and car brand Toyota have been accused of greenwashing.
Coca-Cola has also served 6.2 million drinks from plastic bottles despite a pledge to reduce single-use plastic on Olympic sites by 50% compared to London 2012.
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