When announcing the new title partner and new name for the Renewi Tour, Renewi and organiser Golazo promised to become a model event to make cycling structurally more sustainable. That ambition is also resonating with both the peloton and wider public. The Renewi Tour, the only UCI WorldTour stage race in the Benelux countries from 23 to 27 August, will therefore immediately and visibly deal differently with waste. The Renewi Tour will also literally be green: Jasper Philipsen, the green jersey winner in this year’s Tour de France, will be at the start in Blankenberge on 23 August!
Golazo interviewed riders and support teams about their definition of a waste-free and greener race. Teams have already been taking steps towards sustainability themselves for some time, and they still see plenty of opportunities to accelerate that process together with the organisers. The useful feedback and ideas from the survey have allowed Golazo to set the ball rolling and picking up on numerous issues that will already be visible in this year’s edition.
The separate collection and processing of waste on the riders’ buses will already be a big step in the right direction. The same will happen with the waste in the official ‘waste zones’ that riders are obliged to use during the race. The collection and processing of other waste (chains, tyres, etc.) will also be a priority. The organisers will drastically reduce transport by erecting fewer tents (and making more use of existing buildings) and by working with as many local suppliers as possible. Visibility materials will be reused or recycled, and use of paper will be kept to a minimum. Golazo was able to rely on Renewi’s broad network and expertise for everything to do with suppliers.
Only electric and hybrid cars are used in the caravan and generators will hardly ever be used (or on biofuel if need be). The catering for both VIPs and the public uses reusable cups or glass and as little plastic as possible. Cycling is promoted as a means of getting to the race, as is public transport. The Renewi Tour will create an eco-charter for the public that will be displayed on screens on site.
Public Support
The general public is certainly also receptive to minimising the race’s carbon footprint. Renewi commissioned a survey of 1,000 Belgians showing that more than half of all respondents consider it an important issue to focus on, with waste production and disposal the top priority. This is followed by the impact on the natural environment, the impact of transport and energy consumption as action points.
“I myself have been a passionate spectator at cycling races since my childhood. Unfortunately, we also know that big events often leave a sizeable mountain of litter. The key lies in considering the waste not as waste, but as recyclable materials, with a certain value. Together with Golazo, we share the vision that we can also get this value out of large sporting events. This is a great challenge that we want to take up together and we are happy to see that this is resonating with both the general public and riders,” said Mark Thys, Managing Director Renewi Belgium. “Our ambition is to make this tour the most ecological event of the UCI calendar, by sorting as many materials as possible, collecting them and giving them a new life. If we are able to make Playmobil out of our refrigerators, imagine what we can do with a drink can!”
Jasper Philipsen first big name
This year’s Renewi Tour starts with a team presentation in Knokke-Heist on Tuesday 22 August and finishes in Bilzen on Sunday 27 August. The traditional Queen stage with a finish on the Vesten of Geraardsbergen will exceptionally be held on Friday this year because of the ‘Procession of Plaisance’. All 18 UCI WorldTeams will participate in the Renewi Tour, which means the participants will be top quality!
The toughest sprinter of the last Tour de France, Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck), will attend. The ‘Flame from Ham’ won four stages and the points classification in the Tour de France and will be one of the Belgian leaders at the World Championships in Glasgow on Sunday and is very keen to show off his fast legs in the Renewi Tour afterwards.
Stage Schedule Renewi Tour:
• 22/8: Team presentation Knokke-Heist
• 23/8: Blankenberge – Ardooie
• 24/8: Sluis (Netherlands): Individual time trial
• 25/8: Aalter – Geraardsbergen
• 26/8: Beringen – Peer
• 27/8: Riemst – Bilzen
