They suit the event’s profile very well, since the event follows an environmental program, ECOmass (standing for ECO-efficient Mass event). The program aims at reducing the overall environmental impacts e.g. by enhancing the sorting of waste and reducing the amount of waste to landfill.

The stadium area is expected to draw a public of 50 000 each day, in addition to the 3000 athletes and their teams, as well as the voluntary workers. “It does matter how this crowd enjoys their meals and which tableware is used”, says Mats Hägerström, Group Environment, Health and Safety Manager from Huhtamaki.

The main caterers have chosen Huhtamaki’s environmentally sound single-use tableware range called BioWare. The cups and containers are made from a completely renewable, natural resin (NatureWorks® PLA) and they have the European certificate for compostability. The technology to produce PLA material breaks down the plant starches into natural sugars. Products made of this material are perfectly clear and sturdy, plastic-like and well suited for serving all cold drinks. The molded fiber BioWare plates are made from the extra clippings of other paperboard production and their structure is strong in use but easily degradable when composted.

“We have been involved in the education of the personnel and the volunteers so that the sorting of waste would go as planned. Especially the clear signs for sorting the waste as well as the advisory personnel are important for the successful waste sorting”, Mats Hägerström tells.

The compostable tableware enables the event caterers to eventually combine the waste streams of food and packaging. When disposed of in industrial composting conditions, these cups and plates compost completely. Already today, this can work well in mass events, when big amounts of waste can be collected at the same time.