Engaging swimmers in a fun sustainability challenge

Background

In December 2024, the Hungarian Swimming Federation, together with the National Event Organising Agency, hosted the World Aquatics Swimming Championships (25m). The Federation had joined the Sports for Nature Framework the previous year, becoming the first national aquatics body to do so. Since then, it has been particularly active in promoting Principle 4, the communication and education of stakeholders on sustainability.

Challenge

Ensuring access to safe drinking water is essential at major sporting events. However, this often results in significant plastic waste, with thousands of half-empty 500 ml bottles discarded daily around pool areas. Hosting nearly 1,000 swimmers from almost 200 countries, the organisers needed a creative way to reduce waste while keeping everyone hydrated during six competitions and three training days.

Approach

Inspired by Xun Kuang’s saying, “Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn,” the Federation used a fun, participatory approach. Selective bins were fitted with basketball backboards beside the water fridges, bearing the message: “Drink it, squeeze it, throw it.” Volunteers encouraged athletes to finish their water, compress the bottles and “shoot” them into the bins from a marked free-throw line.

The initiative quickly caught on. Swimmers competed individually and in friendly duels, including a popular challenge between Olympic champion Jack Alexy (USA) and home favourite Hubert Kós (Hungary). A video of their contest attracted more than 170,000 views online.

Behind the scenes, the Zöldövezet Társulás (Green Area Association) supported the effort by collecting, sorting and reusing bottles. The NGO had previously assisted with the 2022 FINA World Championships and the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest.

Results and impact

Compared with previous events, the amount of unfinished water left around the pool deck dropped significantly by an estimated 2,000 to 3,000 bottles per day. The Federation’s water partner, Viwa Vitaminwater, later adopted the idea, installing basketball-style recycling bins for other sponsored clubs in 2025.

Beyond immediate results, the initiative fostered a culture of awareness and engagement among athletes and staff from 195 countries. The playful concept helped make selective waste collection instinctive and enjoyable, embedding sustainable habits that extend beyond the event.

Lessons learned

The experience demonstrated that involvement is the most effective form of education. Simply telling athletes about recycling would have had limited impact; by turning it into a fun, shared challenge, sustainability became part of the sporting experience.

A separate test to recollect accreditation lanyards was less successful. Many participants wanted to keep them as souvenirs, and the initiative lacked both a compelling message and interactive element. For future events, it is suggested that international federations encourage a “Keep Your Lanyard” approach, allowing returning participants to reuse them at subsequent championships.