Six ways to tackle sport’s waste problem

Along with the excitement and anticipation surrounding large sporting events such as the Rio Olympics comes a serious waste issue. Nine experts give their opinion on how to improve sport’s environmental footprint, including Nick Roberts, a sustainability consultant who developed the first student sport engagement programme in association with the University of Gloucestershire.

Here are six ways we could possibly tackle the waste problem:

1. Tackling Food Waste

The sporting events environmental performance can be changed immensely by just tackling food waste. This could be changed by redesigning menus or introducing smaller portions.

2. Maybe we shouldn’t sell burgers in the first place

3. Designing out waste

Usually when it comes to sports events, a ‘sustainability team’ will clear up after everyone’s mess therefore the British Association for Sustainable Sport have come up with ways to integrate sustainability more holistically such as using recycled signage to re-using items for future events.

4. It’s about involving everyone

By having everyone involved in creating a more sustainable environment at sports events. Together with host cities of sporting events

5. Forget sustainability lectures

People don’t want a lecture at the sporting events that they have paid for instead it is better to embed sustainability in other ways. Nick Roberts a sustainability consultant who developed the first student sport engagement programme with the University of Gloucestershire, said that while sports fans might not want to see an advert for switching the lights off, athletes have the ability to inspire amateur athletes to change their behaviour if there is a potential performance benefit.

6. Building to last or to dismantle

When building huge venues for sports events it’s important to keep in mind what will happen to the venue post-event. We should either dismantle the venue giving materials to others we need them or build the venue so that it can have a multiple purpose.

Read more from the Guardian.