Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo announced on Friday that the city intends to prohibit the use of disposable plastic items during the 2024 Olympic Games as part of its efforts to address the global plastic pollution crisis. Hidalgo made the announcement during a press conference at the International Forum of Mayors against Plastic Pollution. As a measure to combat plastic waste, individuals visiting temporary Olympic venues in Paris will only be allowed entry if they do not possess plastic bottles.
Coca-Cola, the designated sponsor of the Paris Olympics, will distribute its beverages in reusable glass bottles and over 200 soda fountains, which will continue to be used after the games. During the Olympics marathon, refreshments will be served in reusable cups. Hidalgo’s office stated in a press release that plastic waste remains a significant global problem, leading to the death of 14,000 mammals and 1.4 million seabirds annually due to ingestion.
The organizers of the Paris Olympics have expressed their desire to reduce the carbon footprint by 50% compared to the previous Summer Games in Rio in 2016 and London in 2012. The Tokyo Olympics held last year took place without spectators due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On May 16, the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) released a report suggesting that countries could achieve an 80% reduction in plastic pollution by 2040 by implementing existing technologies and significant policy changes. The report was published two weeks before the Paris negotiations, where countries will convene to initiate discussions on a global treaty to eliminate plastic waste.