FIS publishes new Waste Management Handbook for Snow Sports Events

FIS has taken yet another step in the process of guiding the snow sports ecosystem towards  a more sustainable future by developing the Waste Management Handbook for Snow Sports Events, a tool to empower Local Organizing Committees, National Ski Associations (NSAs), and the broader global community to take meaningful action in reducing event waste.

While public data on waste from snow sports events is limited, figures from outdoor events in general highlight an urgent need for action. For example, a 2016 report by McKinley found that each attendee at large outdoor events generates an average of 1.89 kg of waste per day, with approximately 68% ending up in landfills in the UK. Although this study focused on music festivals, it underscores a broader challenge for major outdoor events, including snow sports, by emphasizing the critical need for effective waste management.

This guide is divided into four key sections. Each part builds upon the last to create a practical and effective waste management plan from the ground up. Below is a snapshot of what the sections cover:

• Section A: Guides the identification, documentation, and categorization of all types and sources of waste generated by an event, recorded in a waste classification table. This table will later be used to determine the most effective disposal methods for each tracked waste item.

• Section B: Puts the core principles of effective waste management into action, ranked by impact, covering:

  • Waste Reduction

  • Material Recycling

  • Material Reuse

  • Resource Recovery

  • Waste Incineration and Landfill Reduction

• Section C: Offers practical, hands-on steps for managing waste effectively during an event. This includes ensuring an adequate number of appropriately labeled bins are in place, setting up efficient garbage collection systems, and coordinating with the right third parties for proper waste disposal.

• Section D: Covers complementary aspects of waste management, focusing on education, clear communication, and active stakeholder engagement to enable a more sustainable event.

The sections above blend practical instruction with detailed explanations that uncover the reasoning behind each action. This helps readers understand the impact of their efforts.

Plus, this guide highlights skiing events that are driving real, sustainable change through innovative waste-reduction strategies. Examples include:

• FIS Nordic World Ski Championship, Trondheim, Norway: Focused on reducing waste at the source by reusing materials wherever possible and carefully sorting the rest to recover valuable resources.

• 2017 Nordic Skiing World Championships, Lahti, Finland: Adopted a circular economy approach; for example, the event replaced single-use plastic bottles with paperboard alternatives.

• 2025 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships, Saalbach: Harnessed cutting-edge technology, including multispectral cameras and AI, to identify and correctly sort waste such as glass and plastic.

These examples show what’s possible when thoughtful planning meets creativity and adaptability. They provide both inspiration and a practical roadmap for making snow sports events more sustainable and zero-waste oriented.

Why smart Waste Management matters

The World Economic Forum warns that poor waste management is a key driver of the planet’s top three environmental concerns: climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss. But the consequences extend beyond the environment. The issue of waste also intersects with urgent social challenges highlighted by the UN's Sustainable Development Goals, from poverty and hunger to well-being, clean water, and resource depletion.

Snow sports events offer thrilling, unforgettable experiences, yet their short duration and large crowds can generate waste at an alarming rate if not properly managed. Recognizing this impact, FIS has developed this Waste Management Handbook to help minimize the environmental and social footprint of snow sports events.