Responsible Rio: Millions of FSC-certified products will be used at 2016 Olympics and Paralympics

PRESS RELEASE: Rio, Brazil, 2 August 2016 - Attending Rio 2016 this summer? If so, you’ll almost certainly come into contact with more than one FSC-certified product and, by extension, will be supporting the growth of responsible forestry worldwide.

In preparation for the Rio Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) has released a comprehensive list detailing all of the places where responsibly managed wood-based products have been used for the construction and promotion of the Games.

This has been enabled by a partnership with the Rio 2016 Committee to increase environmental awareness around the games, and ensure the responsible use of forest products. All products acquired by the Organizing Committee of the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games have been FSC certified, from structures to stationery.

Through FSC certification, companies are making a commitment to acquire and sell wood-based products that come from responsible sources. All products carrying the FSC label come from forests that are environmentally responsible, socially beneficial, and economically viable.

Hundreds of organizations have obtained FSC certification to help with the creation of a more responsible Olympics, including the Brazilian Mint which, among other assets, will produce all athlete diplomas and certificates during the games.

Other FSC-certified suppliers have been chosen as Olympic torch bearers, in acknowledgement of their work to take care of forests in their region.

Kim Carstensen, managing director of FSC said: “The Olympics is about creating a legacy that inspires others, and Rio has put environmental awareness at the heart of its message. Through the visibility of FSC certification at the Games, the importance of responsible forestry is clearly demonstrated, and we hope that many more consumers will actively seek out FSC-certified products in order to help preserve our forests for future generations.” 

The FSC-certified Olympics: in numbers

Partnerships

·         214 organizations have become FSC certificate holders since the Olympics agreement was signed, many in order to provide responsibly-sourced products to Rio 2016

·         Partners come from the paper industry, graphic services, furniture, sawn wood, panels, planks, fiber board, plywood, flooring and tiles.

·         Eight micro and small organizations have obtained FSC certification through the ‘Sebrae no Pódio’ programme, an initiative set up by the Brazilian government aiming to stimulate the growth of micro and small enterprises in Brazil

 

FSC-Certified Structures at the Games

·         Velodrome track (see video)

·         Golf club façade

·         185 Olympic podiums

·         191 Paralympic podiums

·         93 Paralympic ramps

·         5,130 wooden medal boxes

·         Flooring, furniture, containers, handrails and partitions used in temporary structures

 

FSC-Certified Paper at the Games

·         7.5 million Olympic and Paralympic event tickets

·         37,347 awarding diplomas;

·         5,130 Authenticity Olympic and Paralympic medal certificates

·         93,754 participation certificates

·         237,877 celebration certificates

·         Rio 2016 sticker album