Embracing Circularity: The Paris 2024 Olympics' Commitment to Sustainability

The Paris 2024 Olympics are embracing circular economy practices to minimize waste and maximize resource efficiency. By leasing furniture, using temporary structures, and employing eco-friendly materials with plans for post-event reuse, they highlight the importance of sustainability. With global circularity declining, France's legislation supports efforts to combat waste and promote recycling. These principles should inspire industries, also the packaging sector, to drive sustainable change, demonstrating that the impact of the Olympics can extend far beyond the event itself.

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Introduction

The concept of circularity has become a driving force behind sustainability in consumption and is reported to be increasingly adopted by major events to minimize waste and maximize resource efficiency. Following the UEFA Euro in Germany, the Olympics in France have further embraced this approach. The Paris 2024 Olympics are implementing circular economy practices such as using leased furniture, temporary structures, and eco-friendly construction materials with plans for post-event reuse. This emphasizes the importance of transparency and accountability in environmental practices, now considered a minimum standard for successful global events.

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Addressing Current Challenges

The global economy's circularity is reported to currently be at 7.2% and declining (9.1% in 2018, 8.6% in 2020). This trend is driven by increasing reliance on virgin materials and the growing stock of long-lasting goods that are not recycled. France's legislation—such as the Anti-Waste and Circular Economy Law (AGEC 2020) and the Climate and Resilience Law (2021) —highlights national efforts to combat waste and promote recycling.

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Shifting from Linear to Circular

Events like the Olympics provide a unique opportunity to challenge traditional linear models of consumption and waste. By prioritizing the use of resources over the generation of waste, organizers can find new efficiencies and cost-saving measures. The circular economy principles—use less, use longer, use again, and make clean—underscore the potential for events to minimize their environmental impact through thoughtful design and resource management.

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Pre-Event Strategies for Post-Event Success

To achieve maximum circularity, planning must start well before the event. Understanding the lifecycle of materials—where they come from, how they are used, and where they go after the event—is crucial. The Paris 2024 Olympics provide an overview of how specific materials and goods will be reused, demonstrating a commitment to sustainability from the outset.

• Here are some examples from their report:
• The furniture is leased from suppliers.
• Temporary structures and infrastructures are sourced from existing venues and temporary infrastructure.
• Construction materials come from eco-design and sustainability-focused suppliers, aiming for 80% waste avoidance or recovery.

• Logistics materials include reusable supplies.

• Signage and communication materials are sourced from sustainable suppliers.

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Conclusion

The integration of circular economy principles into the Paris 2024 Olympics should extend beyond the event itself and continue to play a role afterward. The global visibility of the Olympics serves as a beacon, inspiring enthusiasm for sports and personal well-being. Just as watching athletes motivates us to become healthier, it should also inspire us to think more about sustainability. As an industry, our task is to harness this momentum and inspiration to drive Change in our Area of Expertise, for me that is the packaging industry. Though it will require effort, innovation, and financial commitment, it is a worthwhile investment for a more circular economy

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