The World Games 2022 (TWG2022) this week unveiled a sustainability program designed to ensure The Games have a lasting positive environmental impact on its host city of Birmingham.

A multi-sport event that will take place in the Magic City from July 7- 17, 2022, The World Games 2022 will see an anticipated 3,600 athletes from over 100 countries participate in more than 30 different sports.

As part of this week’s announcement, Vulcan Materials Company joined TWG2022 as the official Sustainability Sponsor of The Games. In doing so, Vulcan joins more than 40 other companies in support of The World Games 2022.

“Vulcan is pleased to be the Sustainability Sponsor of The World Games 2022,” stated Vulcan Materials CEO Denson Franklin III. “In addition to helping support bringing the world to Birmingham, Alabama in 2022, we are furthering our longstanding commitment to sustainability in our operating areas across the country. We continue to live The Vulcan Way: doing the right thing, the right way at the right time.”

The International World Games Association is extending this commitment to sustainability and will work alongside the Birmingham Organizing Committee to ensure a positive global environmental impact.

“Sustainability has always been one of the core values of The World Games and, for example, we have never required the host cities to build new venues for The Games,” commented IWGA CEO Joachim Gassow. “Now more than ever it is time to act for the environment, and of course we at The World Games want to be doing our share. We always encourage our local organisers to work for sustainability, and we are happy to see the initiatives of the Birmingham Organising Committee.”

Initiatives announced by the Birmingham Organizing Committee include:

• Tree planting to beautify the city, cool Birmingham streets and positively impact air quality.
• Installation of Solar Energy Stations around The Opening and Closing Ceremonies. The Solar Energy Stations will be created by local solar developer EnPower Solutions.
• Repurposing of signage as either garden compost or in the creation of totes or art pieces.
• Food rescue which will allow partner Grace Klein to provide more food to Birmingham’s hungry and prevent food waste.
• Creation of Birmingham’s first zero-waste venue.

“Each of these initiatives will be a legacy of The Games,” said Nick Sellers, CEO of The World Games 2022. “One of our goals from the beginning has been to leave Birmingham a better place than it was before The Games. All of these initiatives will help us accomplish that goal.”

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Sean Ross is the editor of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn