This value, supported by Planet Earth Games, aims to encourage everyone attending the Games to think more about the everyday choices we can all make to help the planet.

In the spirit of this ‘Eco-Friendly’ value, the Games have signed up to Sport England’s ‘Going for Green Pledge’ to promote environmental sustainability by:

• reducing energy and water usage
• championing walking, cycling and lift-sharing when travelling to activities
• drastically reducing reliance on single use plastics
• recycling waste and increasing the reuse of sports equipment and kit
• boosting activity to nurture nature and wildlife.

In 2024, the environmental footprint of the Games will be measured for the first time, in partnership with FuturePlus, an award-winning sustainability management platform. The Games’ environmental impact will be assessed and monitored across various categories, including energy use, food and beverage service, waste generation, graphic and built materials, and participant travel. As a result of this, recommendations will be provided for reducing the environmental impact of similar events in future.

Some of the sustainability measures that will be implemented at the Games are:

• All leisure wear for athletes, event staff and volunteers will be provided by a carbon neutral supplier.
• All unused leisure wear and athletes’ competition kit will be donated to Scimitar’s ‘WearThenShare’ scheme and sent to developing countries.
• There will be a national transport strategy in place to minimise travel. We will encourage athletes to be dropped off at one of 15-18 central pick-up points around the country to reduce the number of vehicles travelling to the venue.
• Lunches will be provided in a ‘pick and pack’ style to enable everyone to select just what they want to eat, resulting in a reduction in waste.
• Water will be provided in recyclable cartons and event staff, athletes and spectators will be encouraged to bring their own water bottles and to use the water fountains provided.
• As much of the event branding as possible will be generic, so that it can potentially be reused in future years, reducing the amount that must be disposed of at the end of the event.
• The amount of paper used at the Games has been significantly reduced. Event programmes will be provided in an online format only and the website will have all the up-to-date results and information.
• Wooden trophies will be awarded at this year’s event, instead of metal cups and plaques.
• Lanyards will no longer include the year of the Games and therefore can potentially be reused in future years.
• The Games will utilise Loughborough University’s waste recycling scheme and additional recycling bins will be provided around the site during the Games.

Finally, the Athlete Enrichment Programme, which is made available to every athlete competing at the Games, will have an explicit element called ‘Underground Hero’, comprising challenges directly related to environmental sustainability.