A new event industry roadmap initiative has been launched with the goal of no waste being sent to landfill by the end of the decade.
Zero waste events: a 2020 vision has been developed by WRAP working with the events industry as part of its work on the European Pathway to Zero Waste project.
At present, some events are achieving a 50 per cent recycling rate for their events, but most are averaging 15 per cent with a majority going direct to landfill.
With the London Olympics and Paralympics in 2012 diverting 100 per cent of the games’ operational waste away from landfill, this has inspired the idea that zero waste can be achieved in the sector by 2020.
WRAP chief executive Liz Goodwin said: “The London 2012 Olympics showed just what could be achieved by a clear commitment, by trying to prevent waste and manage it sustainably. Making waste prevention part of an event’s plan can deliver significant savings for businesses large and small. It will benefit all, from local community activities right up to large-scale UK events like the Ryder Cup and the Commonwealth Games 2014 in Glasgow. The events industry roadmap was developed to support business growth by managing resources efficiently. It’s a simple vision, but it’s only be the industry individually and collectively taking on the challenge, that this vision can be realised – creating the opportunities for real economic benefits.”
More information is available at www.zerowasteevents.org.uk
