Objective: Reduce, reuse and recycle waste
Integrated waste management is required to ensure waste prevention, minimisation and reduction at source from the outset of the event. Unavoidable waste that is generated as a result of the event will be reused or recycled wherever possible, or, as a last resort, will be disposed of in an appropriate and environmentally responsible manner.
Waste minimisation and prevention measures and programmes, such as the procurement of environmentally-friendly designed, dematerialised, reusable and recyclable goods, will be implemented at all the traditional waste generation sources. Packaging-free and/or supplier-based take-back systems need to be implemented wherever possible to reduce waste. Waste generation and the volumes of waste-to-landfill will be reduced compared to current levels (excluding any waste minimisation intervention).
Recycling is promoted to enable a reduction in landfill disposal through a national, standardised two-bin collection system for recyclable and non-recyclable items. Further downstream, the sorting and recovery of recyclables and the composting of suitable organic components will ensure optimal recovery of appropriate waste types.
The projects
Project progress
Operational waste minimisation in stadia, fan fest, PVAs and training venues in the run-up to and during the event
Green Goal branding of recycling bins and waste minimisation signage
Host City Cape Town’s IWM Plan is far advanced. Cleansing and waste management plans have been scoped for each event venue, and additional equipment and labour resources are being procured to augment the current service.
The LOC has set a target of 20% for recycling/diversion of waste from landfill sites for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™. Host City Cape Town has in turn set this as a target for the operators of Green Point Stadium and FIFA fan fest; this target will also apply to the operation of the PVAs and fan jols. All operators are required to introduce measures to avoid, minimise and recycle waste.
The best way to save scarce landfill space is to avoid waste in the first place. The 2006 Green Goal initiative in Germany showed that waste avoidance at a large sports event such as the FIFA World Cup™ is possible. Practical examples of waste avoidance include the following:
- Invest in reusable crockery and cutlery rather than disposable cutlery and tableware.
- Use reusable plastic crates instead of single-use cardboard boxes.
- Do not allow promotional handouts at the entrance gates to stadia and fan fests.
- Beer and soft drinks are to be served from draught and soda fountains, thereby
avoiding spent glass and plastic bottles and cans that must be removed from
event venues and disposed of by host cities.
- Promote the use of reusable, commemorative cups (cup concept) instead of
single-use cups for beer and soft drinks.
- Use large dispensers instead of single servings of sugar and condiments.
- Limit packaging of merchandise sold at the stadia and fan fests.
If waste cannot be avoided, measures should be taken to minimise waste or use packaging and materials that can easily be recycled. Examples include the following:
- Minimise packaging of food sold at kiosks, and give preference to cardboard and paper products that decompose quickly.
- Separate wet and dry waste at source. Clear labelling of waste receptacles will encourage fans to separate waste themselves, reducing the cost of sorting and recycling post-consumer waste.
- Compost organic waste, such as grass clippings and leaves.
- Restrict the use of glass containers in public areas to reduce the risk of injury to the public.
The City of Cape Town (CoCT) will be rolling out a split-bin system for wet and dry waste in certain identified areas in the CBD of Cape Town before the 2010 FIFA World Cup™. The CoCT has also obtained the sole rights to re-launch the character Zibi for its public awareness campaign for this and other initiatives.
The two-bin system will also be in place at Green Point Stadium, fan fests, PVAs and fan jols. Appropriate signage is being developed by Host City Cape Town and the LOC to promote waste separation at these venues.
Recycling drop-off centres in the CBD and Atlantic Seaboard
The CoCT is investing in two multi-use mini-recycling facilities (drop-off centres), one in the CBD and one on the Atlantic Seaboard, where recyclable waste from the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ can be received, sorted and dispatched. After the event, the centres will be open to the public and waste contractors to drop off recyclables. The mini-facilities will be augmented by the use of transfer stations, where bulk sorting will be facilitated.
Lessons learnt on integrated waste management
The achievement of the waste objective in Germany in 2006 was attributed to the organisers’ ability to control catering areas in the stadia, including the use of returnable beakers (drinking cups) for both soft drinks and alcoholic beverages. The beakers were also used in 75% of the host cities’ open-air events, such as the fan parks, broadcasting arenas, etc. The final resultant impact was that waste was reduced by just over 17%, or about 305 tonnes, against the 20% target. The target was deemed to have been achieved, as the reduction and recycling took into account waste outside the stadia (such as the erection and dismantling of temporary structures) that had not initially been part of the target.
It is critical to note that effective implementation of waste reduction and recycling at host city level is highly dependent on active support from Department of Water and Environmental Affairs (DWEA), the Local Organising Committee (LOC), FIFA and FIFA partners, and official affiliates and suppliers, as much of what happens in and around the stadia, such as the introduction of reusable cups, types of packaging allowed, etc, is governed by these organisations.
Key references and source material
- Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism 2008. National Greening 2010 Framework. Department of Environment and Tourism. 24 July 2008. Tshwane.
- FIFA Local Organising Committee, 2008. Minimum Environmental Standards for Green Goal 2010. Unpublished.
- Germany 2006. Green Goal Legacy Report 2006 FIFA World Cup™, Frankfurt.
- Local Organising Committee proposal for bin stickers in stadia and fan fests for Confederations Cup and World Cup. E-mail of 5 May 2009.
- Ozinsky, S, Ackermann, K., and Lamb, S. January 2009. Green Point Park and ECO Centre Business Plan. (Cape Town, South Africa). Commissioned by City of Cape Town.