Zero-waste Sports Events—A case study of the 19th Asian Games Hangzhou

Large-scale sporting events are often associated with substantial solid waste generation due to venue construction and high attendee numbers. The 19th Asian Games Hangzhou, noted for its unprecedented participation, experienced a significant increase in waste. Nevertheless, through the integration of the “Zero-waste City” concept and green hosting mandates, Hangzhou Asian Games successfully became the first large-scale “Zero-waste Sports Event”. This study examines the development and achievements of the “Zero-waste Asian Games”, using the 19th Asian Games Hangzhou as a case study. The research involved an analysis of pertinent policy documents from Zhejiang Province and Hangzhou concerning waste management, the “Zero-waste City” model, and the “Zero-waste Asian Games”. The “Zero-waste Asian Games” proactively incorporated “zero-waste” principles across pre-event, in-event, and post-event activities, with a focus on source reduction, reuse, and responsible solid waste disposal. This study provides valuable insights for both “Zero-waste City” development and planning future “Zero-waste Events”.