London Olympics Set Bar for Waste Diversion at Legacy Events

A case study recently released by London Bio Packaging illuminates the quantitative impact of the comprehensive waste-diversion plan implemented by the 2012 London Olympics. Utilizing data from the London 2012 Post-Games Sustainability Report, the case study shows how the Olympiad was able to divert over 90% of all waste generated at the Games from reaching landfills.With a strategy of reuse, recycling and composting, London organizers worked with London Bio Packaging to help mitigate the environmental impacts of welcoming 11 million people as participants, peripheral staff and paying spectators to the various venues of the Summer Games. With the use of over 120 million pieces of eco-friendly compostable packaging, such as Ingeo lined hot cups, the organizing committee was able to compost over 1700 tons of waste. An equivalent amount of solid wastes were able to be repurposed through reuse, and nearly 3000 tons of waste was also recycled.“Everyone at London Bio Packaging is massively proud to have played our part in delivering what is being called ‘the most sustainable Olympics of the modern era,’” said Marcus Hill, managing director of London Bio Packaging. “We are now excited to help other events and organizations go ‘zero waste’!”