The Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift is not held in a stadium, but outdoors, against a backdrop of outstanding natural beauty and majestic heritage: France. We care a great deal about its conservation.
The Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift is only a tenant of its stadium. Its priority is to protect it !
In order to preserve these fragile landscapes, the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift must work on various polluting factors, such as waste, transportation…
Preserving the natural landscapes also involves raising public awareness of the fragility of these environment, with information simplified by the experts responsible for their management and protection.
Respect of our environment and preservation of biodiversity are priorities for the organization in order to safeguard rider’s playground.
The Biotope consultant firm has been supporting the design of the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift since its first edition by assessing the impact of the race on the Natura 2000 European network of special nature protection areas.
The 20 areas featuring on the route of the 2024 edition are carefully studied to determine what measures should be taken to keep them pristine: no handing out goodies, no sound broadcasts, material support, no flyovers, etc.
Eliminating plastic bottles in the Tour de France Femmes with Zwift’s zones by implementing Suez water fountains in 2023 and distributing water bottles and eco-cups to all Tour followers.
In 2024, 12 water fountains will be deployed daily on the Tour de France Femmes with Zwift.
Caravan
- 90% of plastic packaging eliminated from goodies (excluding foods and industrial products). 100% of E. Leclerc's food packaging is recyclable (paper).
- Manufacturers are encouraged to produce more useful products made out of more environmentally friendly materials sourced from France or the rest of Europe.
Hospitality
- Elimination of plastic packaging for gifts, use of digital invitations and eco-cups...
- Compostable (at-home) or biodegradable cardboard coffee and soda cups
- Glass containers for “in-race” meals
4 coordinators assist host local authorities, Tour support staff, riders and members of the public in sorting waste before and during the event. A specific "It's my Tour, I'm sorting" charter and training sessions have been developed for the occasion; Eco-responsibility training for Tour support staff
For the riders
- 25 waste collection zones for riders (3 to 5 in each stage depending on its length) are marked out and cleaned up by the organisers
- Rules to combat bad behaviour (fines, time penalties and disqualification)
For local authorities and the public:
- Almost 13,000 rubbish bags made from recycled materials are handed out in stage towns and cities
Eco-friendly mobile sanitary facilities are deployed in technical and living areas, at the start, along the route, and at the finish:
- 2 vacuum caravans with reduced water consumption (70 cl vs 7 to 10 liters per use) - 12 self-sufficient or PSH cabins => 1.5 m³ of water saved per cabin per day
- "Blue disinfectant" product without biocide, biodegradable, and with negligible ecotoxicity (SDS data)
- Toilet paper made from recycled paper
- Use of battery-powered or biofuel generators
- Use of solar-powered structures
Initiated in 1959 with the aim of beautifying cities through greenery, the Villes et Villages Fleuris (Towns and Villages in Bloom) label has been supporting municipalities in improving their living environment for 65 years. A pioneer in sustainable development issues since the late 1990s, it recognizes municipalities that engage in a comprehensive approach to reconcile sustainable quality of life with environmental urgency. Through this national recognition, the label allows municipalities that wish to benefit from support to promote environmental preservation while maintaining their territorial identity. To date, more than 4,700 municipalities across France have been awarded the label, with ratings ranging from 1 to 4 flowers.
This renowned label in the French landscape served as a model for the creation of the Cycle City label of the Tour de France, initiated in 2021 to reward cities that have hosted the event for their actions in favour of cycling. Today, 155 municipalities in France and abroad are labelled with 1 to 4 bicycles.
Given their shared values, the two labels have decided to collaborate this year to better promote the labelled cities along the route, to place greater emphasis on the cyclability criterion in the Villes et Villages Fleuris rating system, and to offer 100% "Fleurs de France" labelled bouquets on the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift podiums.
Created in 2015, the "Fleurs de France" label guarantees the French origin of flowers as well as an eco-responsible commitment from producers.
