WASTE
As an industry it is important that we use best practice to help each other and drive forward initiatives to reduce waste
All images: © Adam Warner/London Marathon Events
Big plastic pledge It is estimated that major sporting events can generate up to 750,000 plastic bottles apiece. More can be done to tackle waste. Thankfully, event organisers are at the forefront of change
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housands of participants at this year’s Virgin Money London Marathon will be wearing a special bottle belt that is designed to carry a 250ml bottle of water. The bottle belts, which are made from more than 90 per cent recycled plastic, were designed by London Marathon Events (LME). Their use was trialled at the 2019 Virgin Money London Marathon; they led to a 45 per cent reduction in the number of bottles used by each participant, as the belts enabled participants to keep their bottles with them, rather than discarding them after a few mouthfuls of water. LME is encouraging all participants to run this year’s event using one of its new bottle belts to both reduce
the number of touchpoints for participants during the event and to reduce the number of times a participant needs to stop at a busy drinks station on the route. The bottle belts are also part of LME’s long-term commitment to reduce its impact on the environment, set out in its annual report called Leaving the Right Impression. The report details LME’s sustainability goals, surrounding waste, emissions and supply chain. For example, in 2020, LME wanted to increase its overall recycling rate to above 60 per cent from 45 per cent in 2019. This was achieved at the Vitality Big Half and London Marathon elite event, which were held during the pandemic.
It’s just one example of the measures being taken by event organisers to reduce waste and build back greener.
PREVENTING PLASTIC POLLUTION
The Environment Agency in calling on sport organisations across the country to ramp up efforts to tackle plastic waste. New advice about reducing avoidable plastic waste at events and stadiums is being given to sports clubs, venues, and organisers across England as part of a drive to prevent plastic pollution. Around 12 million tonnes of plastic enter our environment each year – that’s equivalent to a bin lorry load every minute. Of all plastic produced, 50 per cent is for single-use plastic items, which are used for only a few minutes before being thrown away. It is estimated that major sporting events can generate up to 750,000 plastic bottles apiece. The Environment Agency has, therefore, created new Preventing Plastic Pollution guidance inviting the sports industry to address avoidable plastics by introducing water refill stations, minimising food packaging, providing more recycling bins and more. There
is specific advice geared towards reducing waste in catering and at races and includes notes for organising teams as well as comms and messaging for participants. The guidance also signposts people to the Big Plastic Pledge website – a global campaign founded by Tokyo 2020 Olympic sailing champion Hannah Mills – that aims to tackle the issue of plastic waste and eradicate single-use plastic in sport. Hannah Amor, project lead within the Environment Agency’s plastics and sustainability team, said: “Experts tell us that 50 per cent of all plastic produced is for single-use items – things that are used for only a few moments and then thrown away. This is having a detrimental impact on our planet. “The sports industry is in the unique position of being able to influence millions of people worldwide by leading the way in sustainability and setting a good example. “By minimising avoidable plastic consumption, the industry can help reduce the impact of plastic on our planet, reduce its carbon footprint and contribution to the climate crisis – possibly saving money at the same time.”
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