Green Olympics

Greetings, Fellow EcoNinjas!

Yesterday marked the closing ceremony of the 2012 Olympic Games in London.  And while NBC sure did keep us all up to date with the latest in medal winners and statistical data, I found some facts that are sure to satisfy our environmentally friendly minds.

1: The Velodrome – This impressive structure houses the fastest cycling structure in the world. With its ‘Pringles’ chip appearance, and cedar wood walls, the Velodrome is the most eco-friendly building in Olympic park.

 

2: ArcelorMittal Orbit – Dubbed the ‘Eyeful Tower’ by English tabloids, the ArcelorMittal Orbit was designed to give game-goers a panoramic view of the city of London. 63% of the tower was constructed from recycled steel.

3: The Olympic Torch – Crafted form aerospace-grade aluminum, the Olympic torch weighs only 800 grams – the lightest torch in Olympic history.

 

 

4: Energy Center – The Olympic Park Energy Center is unique in that ground-level windows allow tourists to see inside the power plant. The Energy Center uses combined cooling, heat, and power to reduce carbon emissions. The Center uses any excess heat to power the air conditioning systems.

 

5: The Olympic Stadium – Constructed from lightweight steel and PVC pipes, the Olympic stadium has a rainwater collection system that provides water for flushing toilets and irrigation.