For years leading up to giant events like the Olympics and the World Cup, we fofcus on the marketing efforts, the promotional rollouts, the signages, the branded experiences, the works.
But then, the games end, and we all move on.
So, what happens to all of that stuff? Obviously, in most cases, the stadiums remain (and sometimes remain unused), but what about the promotional items? In the instance of the Men’s FIFA World Cup that just took place this past winter in Qatar, a lot of the materials are now being recycled and turned into material for other uses.
According to The Star, a total of 173 metric tons (about 381,400 lbs.) of promotional items like polyester wraps, banners, and fence coverings, are being recycled through a partnership with Saudi Top Plastics. The materials will reportedly be turned into plastic pellets for products like tape and packaging.
“In the past, mega-event organizers found it challenging to dispose of polyester fabric in an eco-friendly way,” Bodour Al Meer, Qatar’s Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy executive director of sustainability, said, according to The Star. “We made it a priority to find a sustainable solution, which led us to this collaboration.”
Events like these have to take environmentalism into account, as all of the things it produces must end up somewhere. While things like signage and banners are important for the experience, it’s also important for the organizers to have a plan for what to do with them when the event is over. The more environmentally-friendly a large-scale event like this can be, the better.
