For a responsible economy

#CIRCULARECONOMY

The second area is key to event organisation. From sustainable management to our contribution to local economies, we consider the impact of everything we do.

The whole ACO setup benefits from this commitment.

Our commitment to responsible catering includes reducing our carbon footprint and encouraging farm-to-fork systems which rely on local producers.

We have been working for many years with committed caterers, such as the ISO 20121-certified Renaud Traiteur. This international standard for sustainable event management was developed to promote responsible consumption and diminish the negative effects on local public services and infrastructures.

Our Race to 2030 programme goes even further. We will be increasing our local sourcing, the share of reusable containers and clamping down on food waste while encouraging the reuse of organic waste.

For instance, we replaced single-use plastic cups with reusable “Ecocups” back in 2010, saving some 40 tonnes (2900 m3) of plastic to date.

We have been working for many years with Tri-porteurs, an association that won a sustainable event award thanks to its collection and recycling programme during the 2021 24 Hours of Le Mans.

In 2022, we adopted decisive measures in the area of catering. The goal is to increase the share of local produce, including purchases from listed suppliers like Metro, to encourage much shorter supply chains.
RESPONSIBLE
CATERING
In 2019 we struck up a partnership with nationwide food bank Les Restos du Cœur, donating leftover food during events. In the first year, some 1,567 kg were collected and distributed to local people in need. In 2021, the total rose to 4,500 kg. In 2022, the club’s caterers and the teams that participate in our events donated over 21,000 kg of food to the charity. At the 2023 24 Hours of Le Mans, 13,600 kg of food was donated to the Restos du Coeur.

In 2022, the partnership was further extended, and the Restos du Cœur set up a logistics centre next to the circuit to distribute aid to those in need in small towns around Le Mans. In 2022, a community garden was also set up at the same site, provided by the ACO.

The fight against food waste also found another outlet in Pain Contre La Faim, a local charity which collects unsold bread to make breadcrumbs.
RESTOS DU
COEUR
We aim to sell products that match our responsible approach. We have recently taken more steps in that direction, with the adoption of a new goodies policy.

In line with our CSR strategy, our promotional merchandise will be exclusively made in Europe and wherever possible, be part of the circular economy.

In June this year, we launched our first range of responsible products: the Legend capsule. The range was launched at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Over 20 products are made of ecological materials or form part of a circular economy. We will be extending the approach in forthcoming seasons, moving towards a product offer in total harmony with our CSR commitments.

We already have an eco-designed bracelet, made in France, the proceeds of which are donated to charity. In 2021 we made the donation to Rire Médecin. In 2022, the proceeds are helping to fund breast cancer research, via the charity Ruban Rose.

In 2022 we began working with AFNOR to assess our preferred suppliers. Applying ISO 20400 guidelines, we evaluate our partners’ CSR.
RESPONSIBLE
MERCHANDISE
Mention “Le Mans” to anyone and they immediately think of the legendary 24-hour race that draws hundreds of thousands of spectators every year.
Surrounding villages that have given their name to some of the circuit’s iconic spots – such as Mulsanne and Arnage – are known all over the world. Le Mans and the Automobile Club de l’Ouest are also home to a museum visited by 124,000 people annually (2019 figure). The ACO also has several stores throughout France and five permanent tracks, including three devoted to karting. In 2019, over 33,000 sessions were held at the Karting des 24 Heures du Mans.
These year-round activities are key components of local tourism. Meanwhile, the 24 Hours of Le Mans turns the global spotlight on the city for several days every year.

At the ACO, we also nurture strong ties with our home region. In a study conducted by InFrance, we ranked among the top 9% of companies with the greatest local impact in 2021. The study also notes that almost half of supplier spending occurs in La Sarthe. We also contribute to more than 200 indirect jobs, over half of which are in La Sarthe.
TOURISM

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