London 2012 is calling on industry to help them find a sustainable solution for the use of materials, such as PVC (polyvinyl chloride), needed for temporary buildings and the temporary elements of permanent venues needed for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) and the London Organising Committee (LOCOG) have already worked closely with industry to ensure that materials such as timber, aggregates and concrete are sustainably sourced where they are needed across the project.

Both organisations are now following the same approach to seek the highest environmental and social standards for the PVC materials needed for temporary buildings such as the Basketball Arena, and for the temporary components of permanent venues such as the Olympic Stadium.

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The Olympic Board have agreed a policy which sets out stringent specifications for the manufacturing, use and disposal of PVC fabrics where this is considered the most appropriate material available for a specific use.

This includes working with the industry to try and achieve recycled content, avoidance of phthalate plasticisers and requiring guarantees from PVC suppliers or manufacturers for planned 'take back' systems to ensure it will be re-used or recycled after 2012.

Dan Epstein, ODA Head of Sustainable Development, said: "As we have done in the past with materials such as timber and concrete we want to use the opportunity of hosting the London 2012 Games to work with industry to set new standards. In this case this may help move the industry towards a more sustainable manufacture, use and disposal of PVC fabrics.

"We are putting in place stringent controls and audit processes to ensure that where we need to use PVC fabrics, it is done in an environmentally friendly way with an emphasis on recycled content and 'take back' systems to enable it be re-used or recycled."

(CD/JM)