Rio 2016 took steps to integrate sustainability criteria throughout the management cycle of the Games from design and planning to implementation, review, and post-event activities.
Rio 2016 developed specific plans for the procurement of infrastructure and related services. One such example is its “Sustainable Sports Flooring Guide” in which Rio 2016 lays out recommendations for sustainable practice and sourcing of four different floor types that are used for Games related infrastructure. As part of the broader Sustainable Supply Chain Programme, this guide aims to provide employees, partners, suppliers and affiliated organisations a road-map on how to source, construct and dispose of floors used in Games related infrastructure.
The Guide considers the environmental, social, ethical, and economic aspects that are present throughout the life cycle of the products and services that are related to the procurement and licensing processes. It has suggestions on how to use flooring materials in the post-Games context.
- Natural Grass: Grass must adhere to standards set by the Ministry of Agriculture to ensure it is of high quality and that producers comply with relevant tax and labour policy. Additionally, the Guide calls for cut and disposed grass to be reused for compost, animal feed or production of renewable oil.
- Synthetic Grass: The Guide states that synthetic grass should meet the standards approved by the FIFA in Quality Concept for football fields. It should be made from recyclable materials and plans put in place to direct the Grass to schools, NGOs or back to suppliers after its use in the Games.
- Sand: as an important floor material for many Olympic events, Rio 2016 recognises that sourcing sand can have negative impacts on the environment by altering the geography and ecosystem from where it is taken. Therefore, all suppliers should have environmental licenses and perform ecological compensation to counter impacts on local environments.
- Rubber Flooring: The Guide notes the good practice and viability of using old tires to as a source for rubber flooring. It suggests that material for flooring in Games related venues be sourced in this way and that after the Games it be placed into other venues such as schools and NGOs.
Source: Rio 2016 Organising Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games
