Page 64 - Plastics News August 2024
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INTERNATIONAL NEWS
The versatile nature of plastics make them es- From Podiums to Climate Change –
sential for athletic wear. The lightweight, breath- Plastics in Medal Ceremonies
able fabrics such as polyester meshes are used
to enhance ventilation and moisture manage-
ment. This includes Lycra and polyester blends in
compression tops, which work to minimise mus-
cle vibration and fatigue, while also integrating
moisture-wicking technologies to keep athletes
feeling dry and comfortable. Swimwear utilises
high-tech fabrics such as polyurethane and hy-
drophobic textiles to minimise water resistance.
These innovative fabrics are crafted to repel wa-
ter, decrease surface friction, and enhance over-
all swimming performance. Not to mention ath-
letic footwear, which feature carbon fibre plates Competitors will be able to reach new heights
offering a perfect balance of lightweight support this year when they ascend to the podium to
and increased energy rebound. receive their winning medals. The sustainable
podium design for Paris 2024 draws inspiration
From Zero to Hero – Plastics Reuse in from the iconic Eiffel Tower's graceful lines and
Catering curves, winners will not only stand at the pinna-
cle of their achievements but also on top of the
Fuel for the win does not have to be single use.
Compared to the 2012 London Games, Paris will city of Paris (in a way).
be cutting single-use plastic by half. Crafted from French wood and 100% recycled
plastic, the podiums provide athletes with a
Company Re-uz is partnering with the Games prestigious platform to proudly showcase their
and drinks company Coca-Cola as they get
ready to give food and drink the sustainable national colours. There will be 68 Olympic and
Paralympic podiums in total, produced from 40
edge. Re-uz will exclusively supply reusable
cups and containers for food and drink after par- tonnes of recycled plastic.
ent company Impact Group agreed a deal with The Aquatics Centre – Plastics in Spec-
organisers. Their goal is to increase awareness tator Seating
of the environmental impact of sporting events
and encourage as many individuals as they can To minimise carbon impact, Paris 2024 opted
towards embracing re-use practices. to introduce only one new competition venue
for the Games - The Aquatics Centre. This ex-
Whether visitors want to enjoy a drink or grab a ceptional venue showcases seats crafted from
quick meal to-go, all containers and cups at each locally sourced recycled plastic. Le Pavé and
competition venue are designed to be reused. its partners skilfully moulded, cut, and shaped
Visitors will also be able to buy drinks without 11,000 seats using recycled plastic bottles and
plastic. The Games' global drinks partner has in- caps. A Paris-based recycler used 60 collection
stalled around 100 carbonated drink fountains. points for the bottle caps. These caps were me-
66 PLASTICS NEWS August 2024
