If they were giving out gold medals to Olympic sponsors for sustainability, Coca-Cola would surely take home the gold.

During the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver Coca-Cola is planning on becoming the first zero-waste, carbon-neutral Olympic sponsor. The Olympics have always been at the forefront of the green movement. Now, they are looking for sponsors who are willing to do more than just through down millions of dollars, they are looking for companies to also be sustainable.

The Coca-Cola Company is the longest continuous corporate supporter of the Olympic Games, and has been a sponsor since 1928.

Coca-Cola began implementing recycling efforts during the 2000 Athens Olympic Games, and later evolved with eco-friendly coolers and shirts made from plastic bottles. After sponsoring the Vancouver games in 2006, Coke found that the Olympic Torch Relay staff and Olympic Games staff “recycled bottle” shirts proved difficult when it came to standing up to low temperatures and large amounts of precipitation. Finding a supplier with the right technology to produce the shirts was an extra step in its sponsorship process. However, Coca-Cola keeps moving forward—they are one of the first companies to receive a “sustainability star” from the Vancouver Winter Olympics committee for the upcoming 2010 Olympic Games. In addition to making the Olympics committee happy, they are also giving consumers what they want. Expectations for sponsors of big events are rising and Coke believes their zero-waste sponsorship will surely raise the bar.

According to PlasticsNews.com, at the 2010 Olympics, “visitors will find café furniture made from pine-beetle-salvaged wood, drink out of bottles made from 30 based plant-based materials, and their beverages will be delivered via hybrid vehicles and electric cart. All are elements of Coca-Cola’s first zero-waste, carbon-neutral sponsorship.”
Some of Coca-Cola’s green goals:
1. Ensure that at least 95% of its waste materials is diverted from landfills
2. Arrange for all recyclable materials such as shrink wrap and cardboard trays to be sent to a recycling center in Richmond, BC
3. Collect and recycle 100% of the single-serve plastic bottles from beverages consumed in Games’ venues.
4. Use hybrid delivery vehicles
5. Arrange for all staff uniforms to be made out of recycled bottles

Read more about this at Advertising Age.

What do you think? Is having sustainable, carbon-free corporate sponsors at the Olympic Games important to you?

By Ellen Underwood