The International Olympic Committee (IOC) gave its first award for Sport and the Environment to Eugene’s Local Organizing Committee for the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials for their environmental and sustainability efforts during the Trials. Eugene 08 was the winner for all of North and South America, as events on each continent were recognized. City of Eugene staff led the Eugene 08 Sustainability Committee and collaborated with partners from Lane County, Lane Transit, EWEB and others throughout the community to make Eugene 08 the greenest Olympic Trials.  A “Going for the Gold in Zero Waste Events” grant from the Environmental Protection Agency funded over 100 three-part receptacle systems that were used to separate recycling, compostables and refuse.  As a result the event achieved a 72% recycling rate.  Other accomplishments included:

• composting of food waste and eating utensils
• reduced use of paper and other disposable materials
• sustainable travel modes – buses, shuttles, bike and skateboard valet parking
• close to 100% use of clean wind power purchased from EWEB
• maximum use of local and organic food sources

This global award joins others that recognized the impressive environmental and sustainability efforts at the Trials, including a Lane County Special Event “Trashbuster” Award and the Governor’s “Oregon Sustainability Special Project Award.”