London 2012: the green hospitality facts
The London Olympics are being hailed for their sustainable achievements, particularly where construction has been involved: the athletics stadium has utilised only 50% of the steel normally used, 33% recycled materials, and will use 60% less water than other stadia; the VeloPark is largely constructed of timber from sustainable sources; 90% of demolition waste will be re-used or recycled; 17,000 apartments in the Athletes Village are built to the Code for Sustainable Homes level 4 – over 40% more energy efficient than required by building regulations; and there are many more initiatives that make a major difference.
And hospitality?
Though less well publicised, the hospitality sector has also been contributing:
London 2012 has set new standards in identifying its 'food vision' which requires caterers to source food to the environmental, ethical and animal welfare standards that it stipulates. Wherever you eat – and 14 million meals are expected to be served during the games – you can be confident of this food sourcing.
McDonald's – as previously reported by H & C News – is outfitting its employees in recyclable materials. Its 2000 employees will be in uniforms specially designed by Wayne Hemingway, and all their uniforms will be recycled after the games.
CocaCola has commissioned a new factory in Lincoln and will recycle all the plastic bottles thrown away at the Olympics – back into an expected 80 million new bottles!
Is there more?
H & C News is confident there's more than these headline stories to be told! Please tell us how you or your organisation are helping to making the games green – however 'big' or small your contribution, we'd like to tell our subscribers about it!