For its second edition, the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift (running from July 23-30) is innovating with the support of SUEZ. The women’s pro cycling race is reducing its environmental footprint by improving the distribution of drinking water and optimizing the management of waste.
The support from SUEZ connects race stage start and finish sites to the local drinking water network and provides water fountains for riders, members of the event organization, guests, media and spectators.
The system is completed by the supply of eco-designed water bottles and reusable cups to those on site, thus eliminating single-use plastic containers and promoting a significant reduction in waste during the event.
In addition to the distribution of drinking water, SUEZ provides the public with information available on access points and water quality through the app ‘Mon eau’ (‘My water’). In fan zones and on the roadsides with the event caravan, a message – ‘l’eau pour tous, toutes poru l’eau’ (‘water for all, all for water’) – is proclaimed.
These actions are in line with the strategy of the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift in terms of social responsibility: moving towards a more responsible organization and committing to mobility by bicycle through its program ‘l’Avenir à Vélo’ (‘the future on bike’).
Key figures:
- 128 water fountains, connected to the drinking water network, set up at race start and finish sites
- 4,000 eco cups provided to guests present in the start and finish areas
- 1,600 eco-designed water bottles provided to those accredited for the event
- 1,000 cans made available to riders on a dedicated motorbike
- 30 waste collection areas along the route
- 2 hybrid vehicles in the publicity caravan bearing the message ‘water for all, all for water’
Sabrina Soussan, Chairman and CEO of SUEZ, said “This partnership is a continuation of our commitment to women’s sport, of which the FDJ-SUEZ cycling team is the standard bearer, and to the promotion of exemplary environmental practices.
“With the 40,000 employees of the SUEZ Group, we are happy to support the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift in its eco-responsible approach and to enable it to innovate to move towards an ever more circular economy.”
Marion Rousse, Director of the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, added “The Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, which is already the biggest cycling competition in the world for the women’s peloton, aims to serve as a model, by promoting the use of the bike on a daily basis and by limiting as much as possible the impact of the event on the environment.
“I am delighted that a major group like SUEZ allows us to innovate in this area, by supporting us in the implementation of an unprecedented system in terms of access to water.”
