Olympics legacy unveils zero waste and carbon vision

After the games the London Legacy Development Corporation will develop the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park – a 225 hectare site housing up to 8,000 homes, five sporting venues, with 45 hectares of bio-diverse habitat and a network of pathways, cycle routes and waterways.

The homes on the park will utilise energy-efficient home appliances which should lead to a 15% reduction in emissions from energy use by residents over a five-year period.

All timber products used during the construction process will be sustainably sourced and major materials will feature a 25% minimum recycled content.

In terms of waste management, targets have been set for zero municipal waste to landfill by 2025 and zero events waste to landfill by 2020.

Water management and conservation will feature strongly with new developments built on the park employing rainwater harvesting and grey water, with park irrigation sourced from rainwater harvesting and treated black water.

There will also be a drive to reduce drinking water use by park residents to 105 litres per person per day, compared to a London average of 144 litres.

The Corporation’s wider sustainability aims include attracting permanent jobs, building family homes, and improving opportunities for the people in the host boroughs.

According to chief executive Andrew Altman, the intention is not just to deliver sustainable parklands, but to create an environment that drives behavioural change.

He said: “This ambition will shape every development on the park from the low energy homes, to the ticketless events, to the beautiful bio-diverse habitat we plan to create.”

Maxine Perella