Winter Olympics go for "the gold" in zero waste

While record-breaking athletics are expected at the Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City, recovery rates for recycling and composting will also be making history. According to a report in BioCycle, the highest recovery rate for the Olympics in the United States was the 50 percent at the 1996 Atlanta

To achieve this extraordinary recovery rate, Green Valley has assembled an experienced team, supported by SLOC's extensive work with national and local organizations to implement the environmental programs of the Winter Olympic Games. Two Green Valley partners - John Madole and Kevin Nall - were involved with recycling and composting at the Atlanta Olympic Games in 1996.

SLOC's design of the waste stream and careful planning of cleaning and collect will facilitate Green Valley's attempt at the recovery record. All food vendors are required to use either reusable or compostable plates, cups, napkins and packaging materials. In the Olympic Village, athletes will be served on china, which will be washed and reused. Spectators will receive their food in compostable serving containers. All garbage bags used at Olympic venues will be compostable to increase the potential recovery rate.