REUSE MATERIALS
The circular economy continues to be one of the fundamental pillars in the construction of increasingly sustainable international sporting events. Following the pioneering experience of Paris 2024, Milano Cortina 2026 is picking up the baton, strengthening its commitment to organizing the Olympic and Paralympic Games with a focus on reuse, waste reduction, and resource optimization.
Following in the footsteps of the innovative French program, which achieved over 98% circularity in the material goods used for the Games, the Milano Cortina 2026 Organizing Committee has launched a concrete project to reuse materials from Paris. Thanks to this initiative, logistics assets worth approximately €382,000 and medical equipment worth approximately €35,000 have been acquired, all purchased at half their market value. These materials are in excellent condition, have already been successfully tested during the Test Events, and are ready to be used in various venues for the Italian Games, including the Olympic and Paralympic Villages, the Main Media Center, and the Milan Innovation Point.
This approach offers two opportunities: on the one hand, significant economic savings; on the other, a concrete reduction in environmental impact by extending the life cycle of materials. This action perfectly embodies the principle of “doing more with less,” which is at the heart of the most advanced international strategies on sustainability.
The circular legacy of the Paris Games – based on eco-design criteria, supply chain responsibility, and asset management with “second life” clauses – has shown that it is possible to completely rethink the model of production and consumption of goods, even in the context of major events. Milano Cortina 2026 is following suit, demonstrating how reuse can be a strategic lever, not only environmentally but also organizationally and economically.
This approach is part of a broader vision of legacy, in which the positive impact of the Games extends well beyond the duration of the event. Reused equipment and materials will become an integral part of the region's logistics and infrastructure, with a view to responsibility and innovation.
Thanks to Milano Cortina 2026, the circular economy is not just a stated goal, but a concrete practice. A tangible legacy that will remain in the regions involved, benefiting local communities and future generations.
