Paris 2024 has unveiled its circular economy strategy, marking a significant step forward in planning for the Olympic and Paralympic Games. This approach, integrated at every level of the organization, is based on three fundamental principles: organizing the Games with fewer resources, better mobilizing them through eco-design, and guaranteeing their second life after the event.
Assessing and reducing the Games’ material footprint
Organizing the world’s biggest sporting event involves considerable mobilization of resources and production of temporary facilities. In order to better manage this material footprint and reduce its environmental impact, Paris 2024 has taken the unprecedented step of evaluating all the resources required to organize the Games. This approach, dubbed the « material footprint », aims to precisely map requirements in terms of materials, equipment and infrastructure, with a view to optimizing and pooling them.
Thanks to its Responsible Purchasing Strategy, Paris 2024 has given preference to suppliers committed to an eco-design approach, favoring the use of recycled materials, the reuse of equipment and the reduction of packaging. This approach has ensured that 90% of the 6 million assets used will be reused or recycled by Games suppliers and partners, limiting the amount of resources under the direct responsibility of Paris 2024.
Organize an event with fewer resources
Since its bid, Paris 2024 has been committed to offering a more sober Games by capitalizing on existing infrastructure and limiting the construction of new facilities. This approach has also been extended to furniture and equipment management, with a significant reduction in the number of items required. In addition, the majority of sports equipment, electronics and temporary infrastructures are leased rather than purchased, thus enabling a more efficient use of resources.
In the area of catering, Paris 2024 has set itself the ambitious target of reducing the use of single-use plastic by 50% compared to the London 2012 Games, by promoting the use of returnable containers and recycling solutions. This initiative is part of a wider effort to promote more sustainable practices throughout the event.
Mobilizing resources through eco-design
Paris 2024 has worked closely with its partners and suppliers to promote the eco-design of products used during the Games. Specific criteria have been defined in calls for tender to encourage the choice of products that are recyclable, made from recycled materials, and designed with reuse or re-employment in mind.
Concrete initiatives have been implemented, such as the use of sports floors containing an average of 35% recycled and 100% recyclable materials, the selection of furniture made from recycled or recyclable materials, and the choice of eco-designed products for the interior fittings of competition venues. These actions illustrate Paris 2024’s commitment to the circular economy and sustainability.
A second life for equipment
Finally, Paris 2024 has anticipated the end-of-life of equipment used during the Games by guaranteeing its reuse, re-employment or recycling. Suppliers were selected on the basis of their ability to integrate this dimension into their products, thus ensuring a second life for the material assets mobilized for the event.
Initiatives such as the reuse of plates from the Athletes’ Village restaurant, the design of reusable partitions for athletes’ accommodation, and the reinstallation of temporary infrastructure in other contexts demonstrate Paris 2024’s commitment to creating a lasting legacy after the Games.
Paris 2024’s circular economy strategy marks an important step in transforming major sporting events into drivers of sustainability and innovation. By taking a holistic approach to resource management, Paris 2024 is leading the way towards a greener, more responsible future for the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
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