As part of the 2024 Paris Paralympics, a large-scale event was held at the conference centre of Westfield Paris. This activation was supported by one of the main sponsors of the Paralympics and aimed to engage attendees and celebrate the spirit of the games. Once the event was over, Event Cycle partnered with Trash Galore, a German based circular economy organisation, to find new homes for the materials and items used, ensuring they wouldn’t end up in landfill but would instead be repurposed for the benefit of local communities, charities, and social enterprises.
Cross Country Working
Event Cycle worked closely with Trash Galore to ensure the materials from the event, including carpets, benches, cushions, sports equipment, and even a winner's podium, were redistributed across a variety of community-focused groups in the Paris area. This partnership utilised the networks of both organisations to ensure they could deliver long term social impact as well as reduce the environmental impact of the event itself.
Le Jardin Cité Aubry: This shared garden in the 20th arrondissement of Paris welcomes local residents, schools, and leisure centres to enjoy a green space in the heart of the city. The garden received trolleys from the event, which will be used for garden equipment and ball storage. Additionally, the rails from the event will be repurposed to hang plants and dry vegetables grown on-site, enhancing the community’s gardening activities.
Fondation des Amis de l'Atelier: Supporting over 4,000 people with psychological or mental disabilities and autism, this foundation's Robinsons Accommodation Center, located in Île-de-France, received several key items. The winner's podium will be used for their disabled sports events, and a variety of cushions, a basketball mat, and a trolley for storing balls were donated to enhance their programs. These items will be used in both sports and relaxation areas, enriching the lives of their residents.
AEPCR (L’Association d’Éducation Populaire Charonne Réunion): This youth-focused organisation works on integration projects and education in Paris. Event Cycle and Trash Galore provided the group with cushions, allowing them to better equip their multipurpose room, which is used for educational and recreational activities with children and adolescents.
The Kilowatt Project: A creative and social space in Vitry-sur-Seine, The Kilowatt Project received benches, pallet seating, a ping pong table, cushions and stools to support their community-driven initiatives. Known as the "Festivities Generator," this group focuses on bringing people together through cultural events and workshops, making the donated materials valuable resources for their ongoing activities.
Picoulet: Founded in 1872, Picoulet is a social centre rooted in community service, offering a wide range of programs for local residents in Paris' 11th arrondissement. The assortment of pillows from the event will be used in their social centre to cheer up the space and help the organisation further its mission of serving the community.
A Circular Approach to Sustainability
Through the collaborative efforts of Event Cycle and Trash Galore, the repurposed materials from the Paralympics activation in Paris found new life in these community organisations. This initiative not only reduced waste and lowered carbon emissions but also helped enrich the lives of countless individuals across the city, demonstrating that even the simplest event materials can have a lasting impact when thoughtfully reused.
By prioritising environmental and social responsibility, this project serves as an example of how the events industry can play a crucial role in driving sustainability and positive change.
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