In the News: Olympic Junk, Where does it Go?

Do you ever wonder what happens to all the “stuff” generated at big events like the Olympics, the Super Bowl, the World Cup or a World’s Fair when the event is over? A question my sister-in-law brought to my attention! The signage alone for “big ticket events” adds up to landfill headaches, and is the unspoken “problem” of successful world-class events that spectators give little if any thought to. Walking on the streets of Vancouver, you see wonderful blue and green signs, banners and posters reminding you at ever step of the way that you are “at the Olympics.” And that is only the “official” Vancouver Olympic Committee (VANOC) stuff. What about all the materials developed specifically and only for the pavilions, stages, houses and branding events that are part of an Olympic Games? Did you know that every province in Canada and many other countries and companies have erected new structures or taken over and “redressed” existing buildings through which they hope to entice spectators to learn more about their products, services or national treasures. Sponsorship and marketing opportunities are HUGE at international events and big companies vie for and bid big money to be a sponsor at an event where millions, or in this case billions of people will be tuning in over multiple days. Does it not beg the question, what next for these items when the Olympics are over?

According to VANOC’s sustainability plan, the goal is to divert 85% of Games related waste away from landfills and reuse or recycle as much of this “waste” as possible. As an example of VANOC’s plan in action, all the vehicle decals and mesh wrapping around Olympic venues will be made into floor tiling. All the plastic bottles collected at the Games will be made into blankets, clothing or outdoor facility components like playground flooring or parts. In addition, some of the corporate sponsors at the Games came into these Games with sustainability plans in mind and had detailed programs in place for reusing or recycling branding materials after their Games usage. Ideas towards recycling, reusing or lifecycle considerations of products, big or small, continue to evolve in fits and starts with some companies and organizations much farther ahead than others. As we wake up to the fact that our planet can’t serve as our “garbage can” forever, we need to consider at every step of the way, what the end use, or reuse of everything we utilize has! Something to think about? Ask your kids to think about it too, especially when they are asking you for that “one more” souvenir or toy that they often take home and then forget about forever!