Games 'Boosted Recycling Target'

4 November 2014, 06:00 | Updated: 4 November 2014, 06:36

A recycling drive during the Commonwealth Games saw Glasgow 2014 setting a new benchmark for delivering major events in Scotland in a sustainable way, organisers have said.

Its cleaning and waste programme resulted in 86% of rubbish diverted from landfill during sporting events in July and August, beating an 80% target.

According to final reports there were a number of key achievements, including recycling 49% of all waste during Games' time.

Organisers said 60 tonnes of food waste - including peelings and trimmings - went to compost thanks to the separation of food waste at venues.

David Grevemberg, Glasgow 2014 chief executive, said: "Glasgow 2014 has to thank our athletes, Games partners and Games family, spectators, our volunteers and absolutely everyone who played a part in helping us achieve such a great performance in delivering a sustainable Commonwealth Games.

"In doing so, we have met targets and also set a new gold standard in delivering major events in Scotland in a sustainable way. Sustainability was at the core of all our decisions and not an added extra or bolted on strategy and it was our aim to contribute to making positive and lasting changes in the way we use natural and human resources to improve quality of life for all; now and in the future.''

Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead added: "I was particularly impressed by the recycling ambassadors who volunteered to help people sort their waste, and I am sure innovative measures such as these made a real and positive contribution to what was achieved. I now look forward to seeing how we can build on this valuable experience to help make other major events in Scotland as green as possible.''

Glasgow 2014 worked with experts from the organisation Zero Waste Scotland and its efforts have been rewarded as it has been given the ISO 20121 - the gold international standard in sustainable event management.