Beyond the Finish Line: How the Commonwealth Games Office Fit-Out Became a Sustainability Success Story

The Birmingham Commonwealth Games, a massive event drawing 1.5 million attendees, faced a significant waste challenge. The problem: events of this scale often generate tons of waste, posing environmental risks and tarnishing the event's sustainability credentials. Meeting ambitious sustainability goals while managing costs was a critical concern.

One key area of focus was the temporary offices used by the Organising Committee. Based in Brindley Place in Birmingham city centre, the facilities team made a conscious effort to avoid new purchases. They reused furniture left by previous tenants and sourced second hand items for anything additional. It was a strong start that reflected the Games’ broader sustainability commitments.

But once the Games were over, a number of items remained. White goods, office furniture and equipment were all at risk of going to waste.

That’s where Event Cycle came in.

We stepped in to prevent these perfectly usable items from ending up in landfill. Through our reuse and redistribution process, 453 pieces of furniture were saved and rehomed with 36 charities, community groups and social enterprises across the Midlands. Items like chairs, tables, whiteboards, microwaves, shelves and floor mats were given a second life supporting causes tackling financial hardship, homelessness, youth exclusion, mental health and gender inequality.

These donations had a measurable environmental impact.

• 5,073 kgCO₂e were saved by diverting materials from landfill.

• 20,967 kgCO₂e were saved by eliminating the need for new purchases.

• Combined, that’s nearly 26 tonnes of carbon emissions avoided.

And the financial impact was just as significant. The donated goods represented an estimated £47,327 in social value. That’s money local organisations can now redirect into frontline services and community projects instead of infrastructure.

And here's some of the organisations we helped:

• 5UP CIC, based in Handsworth, used the donations to support a new gym space offering free MMA classes for vulnerable young people. Equipment such as bins, boilers, hand sanitisers and water dispensers reduced fit-out costs and freed up funds for youth support programmes.

• Saheli Hub, a women-led organisation supporting ethnically diverse communities, received office and kitchen items that enabled them to open a new centre straight away, helping women improve their health, reduce isolation and build economic confidence.

• Birmingham Youth Sports Academy (BYSA) transformed a disused park into a vibrant community sports hub. Donations included whiteboards, tables, chairs and AstroTurf (worth over £3,500), enabling over 100 local children to access safe, structured activities each week.

• Peak Empower used donated tables to furnish their communal hall, providing a space where vulnerable people can now share meals in comfort and company.

  
  

Other recipients included Acorns Children’s Hospice, City of Birmingham Hockey Club, Help a Squaddie and The Active Wellbeing Society. Donations were used to furnish new community hubs, replace broken equipment and support services across education, sports and mental health.

Event Cycle's solution not only reduced the environmental footprint of the Games but also set a precedent for sustainable event practices. This innovative approach transformed a potential waste problem into a showcase of environmental responsibility.

Want to know how your event’s leftovers can create community value and reduce environmental impact?

Get in touch: eventcycleuk@gmail.com