To the editor: The LA28 Video games are poised to carry one other form of windfall, a preventable one with penalties lasting lengthy after the Video games finish: plastic waste (“A Summer Olympics economic windfall is headed for SoCal, a new analysis says,” Sept. 15).
Mega sporting occasions generate staggering quantities of waste, a lot of it single-use plastic. A 2024 study discovered {that a} single Tremendous Bowl can produce roughly 40 tons of waste, with disposable plastic cups and meals containers making up a big share. The United Nations has estimated that one main sporting occasion can generate as much as 750,000 plastic water bottles.
As soon as discarded, plastic waste can’t solely pollute our parks and seashores, but in addition enter our waterways and meals methods.
There may be nonetheless time for LA28 to decide on a unique legacy. LA28 organizers and main sponsors like Coca-Cola have a chance to showcase beverage methods constructed round reusable packaging relatively than extra single-use plastic. Doing so can be a win for athletes, followers, communities and the planet.
Chloe Paravicini, Venice
This author is a Los Angeles area consultant for ocean conservation group Oceana.
