The Tokyo 2020 Olympics organisers announced that it has collected enough plastic to create recyclable podiums for the Games. It has collected a total of 24.5 tonnes of used plastic and around 400,000 laundry detergent bottles for conducting eco-friendly Games, reported Insidethegamesbiz.
Launched in June 2019, the Recycled Plastic Victory Ceremony Podium Project asked citizens to donate used household plastics for recycling.
Major retailers and 113 schools from across Japan, as well as from Tokyo 2020 and Olympic Games sponsor P&G Group helped the organisers to make the initiative a success. The materials were collected over nine months and the campaign reached its goal in March 2020, the same month that the Games were postponed to next year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tokyo Olympics is the first time in history that people have participated in the collection of used plastic to produce the podiums.
Under the “Be better, together” concept, organisers are aiming for sustainable solutions both in Japan and abroad.
FROM MOBILE PHONES TO OLYMPIC MEDALS
5 most innovative ways #Japan is making the Tokyo 2020 Olympics the most eco-friendly games ever:
The Japanese team will wear kit made from recycled clothing
The Podiums will feature recycled plastic donated by the public and collected from the ocean@wef pic.twitter.com/sgoRFlnqaJ
— Vladimer Botsvadze (@DrBotsvadze) January 4, 2020
Following a nationwide campaign, the Tokyo 2020 Olympic medals will be made from recycled precious metals collected from mobile phones and other electronic devices donated by the public. More than 78,985 tons of used mobile phones and other devices were collected by municipal authorities, with a total of 6.21 million used mobile phones handed in by the public. This yielded the 32kg of gold, 3,500kg of silver and 2,200kg of bronze needed to produce all 5,000 Tokyo 2020 Olympic medals.
FROM PLASTIC BOTTLES TO OLYMPIC UNIFORMS
The uniforms of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic torchbearers will be produced in part from recycled plastic bottles collected by Worldwide Olympic Partner Coca Cola.
The Tokyo 2020 staff and volunteer uniforms will also include sustainable materials, including recycled polyester and materials derived from plants. A special dyeing process which requires a minimum amount of water will be used to produce the uniform shoes.
FROM HOUSES TO THE OLYMPIC TORCH
The Olympic torch has been produced using aluminium waste from temporary housing that was built in the aftermath of the Great East Japan Earthquake. The materials that were once used to help rebuild lives will now be used to spread a message of hope and recovery.
FROM THE OLYMPIC VILLAGE TO A PARK BENCH
The Plaza of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Village will be built with sustainably-sourced timber donated by local authorities across Japan. After the Games, the timber will be returned to be re-used, for example, as public benches or as part of public buildings. The aim of the initiative is to create a lasting, sustainable Olympic legacy that will be shared across the country.