Fostering Circularity at Large-Scale Events

The presented study assessed the greenhouse gas emissions of waste management activities at the 2025 Ski World Championships using a two-phase life cycle assessment (LCA). In Phase 1, six scenarios were modeled to estimate emissions from different strategies, including variations in waste separation, contamination rates, transport technologies, and the use of reusable cups. The most favorable scenario combined waste sorting, high shares of electric transport, and reusable beverage cups. In Phase 2, this scenario’s projections were compared with actual waste data from the event. While the projected scenario suggested substantial emission savings, real-world outcomes showed higher emissions, driven by larger amounts of residual and dismantling waste, smaller reductions in packaging waste with reusable cups, and longer transport distances. The findings highlight both the potential and the challenges of planning low-carbon waste management for large-scale events.

Moderation: Keith Williges