Waste and Recycling

Earls Court and Olympia are very different buildings offering unique spaces for the various events they host.

This means that we have to stay flexible in our approach to the waste and recycling processes we implement after each individual event. 

We work closely with organisers to minimise the waste left at the end of each event and to ensure that as much as possible can be recycled or reused.

The initial waste reductions that were made in the first year were maintained in 2007 and we continue to refine the process for 2008.

Additional charges have been levied on exhibitors and organisers to pay for the disposal of excessive waste. This has helped to make contractors take responsibility for their waste and stops ‘fly-tipping’ on our sites.

Recycling at Earls Court

Earls Court benefits from a vast basement area and we have developed a large recycling and waste centre below the building.  This enables the venue to sort the waste coming out of the halls directly into different waste streams.  Any waste left over is compacted and then sent to a waste transfer station for further sorting and extraction of recyclable material.

Recycling at Olympia

Olympia also has a dedicated recycling centre, but on a smaller scale, which includes two recycling balers plus an area for storing bales of paper ready for recycling. Restricted space outside means that Olympia has sought other methods to support its recycling process for 2008. Olympia works to ensure that as much paper, cardboard, metal, plastics, paint, cotton fabric, glass, carpet, banners and wood is sorted and sent directly to be recycled.

In 2007 the total waste removed from Earls Court and Olympia was 3,517.95 tonnes.

1496.68 tonnes (43%) has been separated and recycled either directly from the halls or recycled or recovered using transfer stations and waste for energy plants.

For the full story, and information on other sustainability initiatives we're working on, download our Social, Ethical and Environmental Report here.