London 2012, the company leading the bid, has signed up to the Mayor's Green Procurement Code, an initiative run by market development organisation London Remade.
Joining 320 other companies signed up to the Code, London 2012 will work closely with London Remade with recycled content purchase targets as well as targets for the recycling of any waste produced.
 Sports minister Tessa Jowell with London Remade's Hugh Carr-Harris with recycling facilities at the London Youth Games this month |
London is up against Paris, New York, Madrid and Moscow to host the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics. London's bid includes the new Wembley stadium, Wimbledon, Lord's and a proposed new stadium in East London to stage 28 sports. Football grounds around the British mainland could also be used if the bid is successful.
Keith Mills, chief executive of London 2012, said that promoting recycling and other environmentally friendly practices for the bid will help strengthen its chances. He said: “Environmental issues form a key part of our plans to bring the Games to London.
“Working closely with London Remade will ensure that we are considering not only the most sustainable and locally sourced materials, but also reducing our impact on the surrounding environment through more sustainable waste management practices, boosting not only our environmental credentials but the benefits for London's economy and environment.”
London Remade and London 2012 have demonstrated their new partnership by implementing a closed-loop recycling system for this month's BAA Heathrow London youth Games.
The event at Crystal Palace, which involved 20,000 young people from London competing in 28 sports, also involved Australian recycling organisation Visy Closed Loop, which developed recycling systems at the Sydney Olympics four years ago.
Progress
At the London Youth Games, 42% of rubbish was recycled via a number of well signposted recycling stations around the venue, collecting plastics, cans, paper and general waste. A number of food vendors at the Youth Games also supported the recycling scheme by committing to using recyclable and recycled packaging.
Minister for Sports and Culture Tessa Jowell was at the Youth Games and said recycling should become part of all major events. “I am delighted that London is making real progress towards addressing sustainability at major events. This partnership approach between London 2012 and Closed Loop London is to the benefit of the capital's environmental performance and will enhance London's chances of securing the 2012 Olympics.”
Hugh Carr-Harris, chief executive of London Remade, said: “There is no doubt that our environmental credentials will be a key part of the bid to bring the Olympic Games to London.”
London Remade also plans to use the closed loop recycling system again at the Athletics Grand Prix to be held at Crystal Palace on July 30.
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