The water bottle, a plastic-free solution for athletes

For several weeks now, regular visitors to the Georges-Carpentier sports complex (13th arrondissement) have been spotting new signage around the place, pointing them towards water fountains. Blue and green signs indicate the location of these water points with various messages inscribed on them. "It's quite effective," says 20-year-old Alan, who frequents the stadium's street-workout area. "You get the message straight away!"

In the Carpentier changing rooms, other posters have been put up: "What are you coming with next time?" says one of them, featuring a drawing of a water bottle. Another one reads: "Athletes' survival kit: jersey, sneakers and a water bottle" (both phrases are written in French).

This incentive signage is called a "nudge" and has been tested in partnership with WWF at the Carpentier (13th arrondissement), Ladoumègue (19th arrondissement) and Charléty (13th arrondissement) sports centers. The aim is to encourage sports enthusiasts to trade their plastic bottles for metal, reusable ones. The scheme is part of the City of Paris' "Transformations Olympiques" program, which includes putting an end to single-use plastic by the time the 2024 Olympic Games are underway.

"The aim is not to prohibit the use of water bottles, but rather to encourage athletes to use them in a positive way," explains Stéphane Guillou, Carpentier sports center manager.

To encourage the use of water bottles, the number of water points has been increased: 9 fountains, compared with 3 previously, have been installed by staff from the Youth and Sports Department. "We've targeted all the strategic locations, in particular the four entrances to Carpentier and all the sports areas," explains Stéphane Guillou.

"It's a great idea," says Alan. Up until now, I've been filling up a plastic bottle, but I'd be happy to switch to a metal one: it's a nice object and it's more environmentally friendly". Alan also notes that water bottles are becoming commonplace, "all my friends already have one".

Those still using plastic bottles will soon be able to sort them on site. Recycling bins should be installed on the Carpentier site by the end of the year.

For clubs, another scheme is being carried out as part of Sport Zero Plastic, a project run by the Paris Climate Agency.

It's in this context that we're working with Carpentier's clubs on a long-term basis: for example, on the use of reusable cups, which is a simple way of minimizing the use of plastic. To encourage their use, dishwashers will soon be brought to the sports center.

Among the clubs committed to Sport Zero Plastic is the PUC, whose Ultimate section is leading the way on the subject. "We hosted our summer tournament at Carpentier with a zero plastics policy," says Sylvain Pasquet, president of the Ultimate section. "Each participant brought their own home-cooked food, with no plastic packaging, drinks were served in returnable glass bottles, and we also provided reusable cups". Although Ultimate players are already accustomed to bringing their own water bottles, bowls and cutlery. It's a great way of drastically limiting plastic waste!