During the Paris 2024 Olympics, a major client hosted its partners at the prestigious Le Bristol Paris, in the city centre. In alignment with their sustainability commitments, the client worked with Event Cycle to find responsible ways to manage the items and materials used during the event. Instead of allowing materials to go to waste, Event Cycle worked to ensure strategic redistribution to charities, community groups, schools, and social enterprises. This collaboration emphasised the client’s commitment to both environmental stewardship and social responsibility.
Event Cycle played a key role in this project by determining the best routes for repurposing and redistributing furniture, décor, and stationery within the local Paris area. These efforts ensured that the items from the event continued to benefit the community, reducing waste and extending the life cycle of the materials.
The Mission
The core of this project was guided by the client’s holistic approach to sustainability, with a focus on transitioning to clean energy, supporting a circular economy, and investing in resilient ecosystems. Their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) priorities were reflected in this collaboration, as the project sought to minimise waste, extend product life cycles, and engage with local communities.
Environmental and Social Impact
This initiative resulted in significant environmental and social benefits. By repurposing event materials, 57 pieces of furniture, 15m² of graphics, and other event items were donated to nine charities and community groups within an hour's drive of Paris. These donations supported a wide range of causes, including digital inclusion projects, schools, and community gardening initiatives.
Sustainability Highlights
982 items donated to local charities and communities
£28,293.02 in social impact value
991.49 kgCO2e emissions avoided from materials not going to landfill
Repurposing of 15m² of graphics into 24 tote bags, supporting a social enterprise
Support for 11 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Charities and Organisations Supported
Couleurs et Senteurs // Régie de Quartier 19e
Couleurs et Senteurs is part of Régie de Quartier 19e, a neighbourhood management group in Paris’ 19th district. This organisation engages residents in actions that enhance the area, from green space maintenance to local job creation. The group’s community garden supports residents, schools, and local associations. They received various furniture items from the event, including side tables to enhance their reception area where back-to-work employees gather. Additionally, mirrors were placed in their locker rooms to provide more comfort for workers, and an aluminium frame will be used along with their own graphics to highlight their community’s work during events.
St Esprit
St Esprit is a private Catholic school in Paris providing education for children from the age of three. The school prides itself on creating a nurturing environment for its students and staff. The school received rugs, which were placed in their break room, making the space warmer and quieter for teachers and staff to rest during their breaks. This donation has greatly improved the overall atmosphere of the space, making it more comfortable for daily use.
Colombbus
Colombbus is an organisation that uses digital technology to promote social inclusion and professional integration, particularly for those distant from long-term employment. They provide coding and digital education to underprivileged communities. Colombbus received chairs from the event, which are being used by their employees working on integration programmes. The stationery items donated were also a great addition, supporting their day-to-day operations as they work to bridge the digital divide.
La Ballade des Lucioles
La Ballade des Lucioles is an organisation that brings warmth and support to the homeless community through “home visits” on street tours. Equipped with food, clothing, and hygiene products, volunteers provide care and engage with homeless individuals. The items donated from the event, such as furniture, were used to furnish a newly acquired space where they will further support their mission of solidarity. This space allows them to better serve those in need and continue their critical work.
L’Œuvre Falret
L’Œuvre Falret has been supporting individuals with mental disabilities since 1841, offering them opportunities for socio-professional integration. Their facility, ESAT Le Colibri, specialises in catering and offers meals to individuals and communities in Paris. The charity received the event bar, which will be rebuilt in their foyer space to provide hospitality training. This donation will enable their workers to develop practical skills, while the artwork donated has brightened up their facilities, creating a more pleasant environment for staff and participants.
Association Neptune
Association Neptune is based in Montreuil and fights against exclusion and poverty by promoting economic and social integration through the resale of repurposed goods. Neptune also provides meals to vulnerable families and individuals. As part of this project, they received tables from the event, which will help generate income and support the local economy, contributing to Neptune's efforts to uplift the disadvantaged.
SPA - Société Protectrice des Animaux
The SPA (Société Protectrice des Animaux) is France’s foremost animal welfare organisation, dedicated to protecting and rehoming abused or abandoned animals. The SPA received various items, including first aid kits, cooling towels, umbrellas, and baskets. These items will be used across their facilities, with cooling towels being distributed to shelters in the south of France to help improve the wellbeing of animals during hot weather. The baskets and first aid kits will be used to support SPA events, aiding in the organisation’s ongoing efforts to protect animals in need.
Greenpeace France
Greenpeace France has been fighting for environmental and social justice for over 50 years. The organisation is known for its non-violent activism and campaigns to protect the planet. The donations from the event were incredibly useful for their logistics centre, where items such as charging blocks and umbrellas will be used by their volunteers during awareness missions. The clothing donations will also be utilised by their team during various campaigns. Additionally, the whiteboards and shelves will be integrated into their seminar space to support their educational and campaign efforts.
Key Learnings
This project underscored the importance of engaging with repurposing partners early in the event planning process to ensure that all materials can be properly placed and repurposed. Establishing communication between the scenic suppliers and repurposing partners early on allowed for better planning around material redistribution. Additionally, designing event materials with repurposing in mind helps maximise the environmental and social benefits after the event concludes.
By working with Event Cycle during the Paris 2024 Olympics, the client showcased how sustainability can be embedded into every phase of event planning, from design and logistics to the thoughtful redistribution of materials after the event. This successful collaboration not only reduced environmental impact but also supported local communities, leaving a lasting positive legacy that extends beyond the Olympic Games themselves.
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