The 2024 Olympic Games are set to take place in Paris, France from the 26th of July to the 11th of August with an historic first being established by the city as it moves to ban the use of single-use plastics during the global sporting event.
Mayor Anne Hidalgo said at the International Forum of Mayors against Plastic Pollution “We have decided to make the Olympic Games the first major event without single-use plastic.”
According to One Green Planet , American company Coca-Cola, the official sponsor of the Paris Olympics, will distribute its products in reusable glass bottles and over 200 soda fountains will be set up, remaining as a legacy for the city post-games. Additionally, reusable cups will be used for refreshments.
“Each year, 14,000 mammals and 1.4 million seabirds are killed due to the ingestion of plastic waste,” Hidalgo’s office said in a statement, highlighting the urgent necessity of the move.
Depuis 50 ans, scientifiques et associations nous alertent sur les effets des pollutions plastiques sur notre biodiversité et notre santé.
— Anne Hidalgo (@Anne_Hidalgo) May 26, 2023
À Paris, nous luttons contre ces pollutions : d'ici aux Jeux de #Paris2024, Paris sera une ville zéro plastiques jetables. pic.twitter.com/DXDMImu9LD
The decision aims to set an example for all major events across the globe in the fight against the plastics crisis. All temporary Olympics competition sites in the French capital will only admit visitors without plastic bottles.
Another first will be the opening ceremony taking place in the heart of the city. Here is a taste of what we can expect.
