Fan Fest visitors encouraged to "touch the earth lightly"

“Touch the earth lightly” is the message that is being conveyed to FIFA Fan Fest™ visitors on the Grand Parade throughout the 2010 FIFA World Cup™.

Host City Cape Town’s environmental programme for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™,  “Green Goal 2010”,  is showcased at the FIFA Fan Fest™ through a structure that is specifically designed to demonstrate the use of materials that are either recycled, reusable, reclaimed, or newly purchased but are earmarked for reuse afterwards.

  The Green Goal 2010 Expo takes idea of reducing waste to a highly sustainable level by sourcing most of the construction materials from within a 2,5km radius of the site, thereby reducing the carbon footprint of the structure. The form of the Green Goal 2010 Expo structure is a cube. The exterior is clad in a matrix of 1,450 multicoloured plastic milk crates containing 17,400 empty milk bottles, all tied to a scaffolding frame. Low energy lighting illuminates the crates from behind, turning the structure into a glowing ‘jewel box’ at night. Local references to indigenous plants, Fynbos scents, colours and quiet spaces, subtly entice visitors to connect with the natural world inside.  A ‘forest’ of bamboo flags wave in the wind, announcing the Green Goal 2010 exhibition from afar.

Commenting on the Green Goal 2010 Expo at the Fan Fest, Lorraine Gerrans, City of Cape Town Manager: Green Goal 2010 FIFA World Cup™, stated that Host City Cape Town had adopted the event-greening programme initiated by Germany, the hosts of the 2006 FIFA World Cup™, and developed the Green Goal 2010 Programme to reduce the World Cup's adverse effects on the environment.

Green Goal 2010 contributes to environmental awareness, waste minimisation, efficient energy use, sustainable water consumption, compensation for the event's carbon footprint, responsible tourism, and green building; which takes future generations into account when building structures such as the Cape Town Stadium.   “Some of these innovations can be seen at the Fan Fest”, she said. “For example, there will be no disposable cups or plates, and fans buying refreshments will be sold commemorative 2010 mugs and food will be served on durable plates. Waste will be avoided and minimised, and if this is not possible, then fans are encouraged to separate wet and dry waste in the two-bin system at the Fan Fest, along the Fan Walk and at the Cape Town Stadium.”

The drinking of tap water is being promoted as part of the Green Goal 2010 programme, thus reducing waste through the disposal of plastic bottles.  Drinking water fountains have been erected at the Fan Fest and along the Fan Walk, and videos promoting the fact that Cape Town’s tap water is safe to drink, will be shown on the big screens along the Fan Fest throughout the tournament.

Buying electricity from the wind farm in Darling at a separate tariff will compensate for the energy used at the FIFA Fan Fest™.

Mike Marsden, Executive Director for Service Delivery Integration and responsible for 2010 in the City said: “The event is placing global environmental issues, such as climate change, under a spotlight, and is an opportunity to promote pro-active approaches to these issues among local and international audiences.  We are extremely proud of the responsible action taken by Host City Cape Town and in particular of the Green Goal 2010 programme that resulted in the many environmentally friendly interventions that can be seen at the Green Goal Expo at the FIFA Fan Fest™.”

Fans and locals will have the chance to visit the Green Goal 2010 Expo at the Fan Fest on the Grand Parade during the entire course of the tournament.