Hosting a large-scale event, like the Olympics, leaves behind a massive carbon footprint which is seldom talked about. ‘Carbon footprint’ is the amount of carbon dioxide that is emitted into the atmosphere as a result of activities of a particular individual or a community. Imagine the amount of greenhouse gas that is released when thousands of athletes are flown to the destination or when accommodations and stadiums are constructed.
To decrease the carbon footprint left by the Olympics, the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic organisers have constructed cardboard beds for athletes which can be recycled into paper products later, reports BBC. The mattresses, on the other hand, can be recycled to produce plastic products.
According to a report by The New Indian Express, the cardboard beds can carry a total weight of 200kgs which is more than any of the athletes weigh.
“They are stronger than wooden beds,” said Takashi Kitajima, the General Manager of the Athletes Village.
According to Business Insider, the Olympics have, in the past, received much heat for their unsustainability. Millions of dollars worth of stadiums have been torn down to nothing after the events were done with.
To make the Olympics more environment-friendly and sustainable, more than 18,000 beds for the Olympics and 8,000 for the Paralympics have been constructed which are recyclable.
While we are witnessing unbelievable and grave changes in climatic conditions, it is important for people to control the waste and harmful emissions they are releasing into the environment. Kudos to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics organisers for their commendable step in reducing the carbon footprint!