Roadmap launched to tackle waste at UK events

Developed by the Waste & Resources Action Programme (WRAP), the Zero waste events: a 2020 vision roadmap sets out its aim for the UKs events industry to send zero waste to landfill by 2020.

Drawing on lessons learned from managing waste at the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the roadmap sets out a vision for how the sector can work individually and collaboratively across the whole supply chain to reduce waste. It also highlights the steps that need to be considered when preparing for and delivering a zero waste event regardless of its size, nature or location.

According to WRAP, some in the sector have achieved a 50% recycling rate for events, but most are averaging just 15%, with a large amount of waste going directly to landfill.

It is aimed at all those involved in planning and delivering events from event organisers and planners, managers and contractors, venue owners and promoters, corporate sponsors, local authorities, waste contractors, hospitality and catering companies to construction firms and builders.

Vision

Dr Liz Goodwin, WRAP chief executive, 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 events 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.

She continued: The events industry roadmap was developed to support business growth by managing resources efficiently. Its a simple vision, but its only by the industry individually and collectively taking on the challenge, that this vision can be realised creating the opportunities for real economic benefits.

Currently valued at 36 billion, but projected to grow to 48 billion by 2020, the events industry supports around 25,000 businesses and around half a million full-time equivalent jobs.

The roadmap was launched at Lords Cricket Ground with representatives from those involved in managing waste at the London 2012 Games, including fast-food firm McDonalds, waste management firm SITA UK and the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG).

Resource management minister, Lord de Mauley, said: The UK has a rich and diverse heritage of music festivals, sporting events and cultural activities running throughout the year. These bring considerable economic benefits to our towns and cities through domestic spending and by attracting tourists to our shores.

He added: An industry worth 36 billion can make significant savings by tackling waste and reducing the impact waste overheads have on the bottom line. The industry can use this roadmap to improve their business returns through simple, collective effort.

The events roadmap was developed by WRAP as part of its work on the European Pathway to Zero Waste project (EPOW). It is supported by a dedicated events industry website, which features the Resource Management Plan Tool an online tool for event organisers and suppliers to manage event waste as well as the London 2012 Learning Legacy documents.