Event Waste Management for the 2025 World Ski Championships in Saalbach
Project Profile
Client: Austrian Ski Federation (ÖSV) / FIS Alpine World Ski Championships Saalbach 2025
Industry: Event and venue management / Major events
Location/Area: Saalbach-Hinterglemm; Glemmtal from the Maishofen-Saalbach train station to the 12er-Kogel cable car, approx. 20 km event area
Timeframe: 2025 World Ski Championships
Services: Event waste management, collection logistics, recyclables management, analysis of sorting quality, on-site support, digital sorting aids, consulting on waste prevention and the circular economy
The Challenge: Efficiently Managing Waste Volumes
At the 2025 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships in Saalbach, a large volume of diverse waste was generated in a short period of time—spread across parking lots, bus terminals, the fan zone, the finish area, the Medal Plaza, and other zones. The Challenge: Daily fluctuations in international visitors, teams, and service providers required easily accessible collection points, clear sorting guidelines, and waste management logistics that functioned effectively even with high, fluctuating foot traffic. At the same time, waste prevention needed to be visibly integrated, and the quality of waste sorting needed to be verifiably improved.
The Solution: Data-Driven Technology to Optimize Waste Logistics
Saubermacher planned the collection along the approximately 20-kilometer-long event area and provided around 600 bins for general waste, packaging, paper, organic waste, and glass. Thirty collection stations, placed in highly visible locations, facilitated waste separation. Twelve employees were on site to oversee the emptying of the containers and the cleanup of the grounds. Sensors, Smart Scan, the Digi-Cycle app, and electric trucks supported needs-based processes and improved the quality of waste separation.
The Result: Waste from a Major Event Properly Managed
The Circular World Championships concept enabled structured waste management across multiple event zones. The infrastructure was designed to handle over 72 metric tons of waste during the 2025 World Ski Championships. Recyclables could be collected separately, and disposal routes were planned according to need. A study by the Wegener Center calculated a CO₂ reduction potential of up to 182 metric tons for the combination of waste separation, electric transportation, and reusable containers compared to a baseline scenario.
CO₂ Reduction Potential According to the Wegener Center Study
Containers for five waste categories
clearly visible collection stations
Event Area in the Glemm Valley
Summary
High visitor traffic, numerous locations, and various types of waste had to be coordinated during the World Cup.
Saubermacher combines collection points, an on-site team, digital tools, and electric trucks.
Streamlined consolidation logistics, improved wayfinding for visitors, and verifiable CO₂ reduction potential.
Trust that pays off
President of the Austrian Ski Association
Trust that pays off
»With the 2025 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships in Saalbach, we were able to send a strong message about sustainability in winter sports. Through our collaboration with Saubermacher and the innovative Circular WM concept, we ensured that we not only celebrated top athletic performances but also took responsibility for our environment. I am pleased that, as a ski federation, we have actively contributed to making this event one of the most environmentally friendly in the history of skiing.«
Martina Kornthaler, Investment Management/Project Lead
With our Circular WM concept, we have succeeded in bringing the circular economy to the forefront—from planning to on-site implementation. Saubermacher supports event organizers with event waste management, recycling management, and circular economy concepts.
