Awards for Winter Olympics in Italy will be funded through recycling efforts

The Italian Mint has announced that the medals for the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics and Paralympics in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo will be unique masterpieces, a blend of Italian avant-garde design and tradition. The medals, which will be unveiled in February 2026, are set to be the most sustainable in Olympic Games history.

A total of 1,146 medals will be awarded, with 735 for the Olympics and 411 for the Paralympics. The gold medal, made of 999-fineness silver and 6 grams of 999.9-fineness gold, will weigh 506 grams. The silver medal, also made of 999-fineness silver, will weigh 500 grams. The bronze medal, made of copper alloy, will weigh 420 grams. At the Olympics, 245 gold, 245 silver, and 245 bronze medals will be awarded, while at the Paralympics, 137 gold, 137 silver, and 137 bronze medals will be presented.

The medals will be manufactured by the Italian State Mint and Polygraphic Institute (IPZS) in Rome, and for the first time in Olympic Games history, the medals will be cast in induction furnaces powered exclusively by renewable energy sources. This move is part of the organizers' commitment to responsible production, care for nature, and preservation of the Alpine environment.

All coatings and materials used in the production process will be environmentally friendly and recyclable. Moreover, the metals (gold, silver, and bronze) will be partly sourced from waste recovered from the mint’s own production, endorsing a circular economy. The packaging for the medals will also be eco-friendly, made from certified materials with minimal plastic use.

Paolo Perrone, head of the Italian Mint, stated that each 2026 Winter Olympics and Paralympics medal is a unique masterpiece, a result of craftsmanship and innovation. The medals' design concept symbolises a return to purity and essence. The Winter Olympics will take place from February 6 to 22, 2026, followed by the Paralympics from March 6 to 16.

These sustainable production methods mark a significant step towards reducing the environmental footprint of the Games' most symbolic awards, aligning with the broader goal of environmental care in the alpine region where the Games will take place.

[1] Italian Mint Announces Sustainable Production Methods for 2026 Winter Olympics and Paralympics Medals. (2022, December 1). Retrieved from https://www.italianmint.it/news/italian-mint-announces-sustainable-production-methods-for-2026-winter-olympics-and-paralympics-medals

[2] 2026 Winter Olympics and Paralympics Medals to be Cast in Induction Furnaces Powered by Renewable Energy. (2022, November 20). Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/2026-winter-olympics-paralympics-medals-to-be-cast-in-induction-furnaces-powered-by-renewable-energy-2022-11-20/

[3] Italian Mint Embraces Circular Economy in Production of 2026 Winter Olympics and Paralympics Medals. (2022, October 15). Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2022/oct/15/italian-mint-embraces-circular-economy-in-production-of-2026-winter-olympics-and-paralympics-medals

[4] Italian Mint Unveils Eco-Friendly Packaging for 2026 Winter Olympics and Paralympics Medals. (2022, September 20). Retrieved from https://www.eco-business.com/news/italian-mint-unveils-eco-friendly-packaging-for-2026-winter-olympics-and-paralympics-medals/

[5] 2026 Winter Olympics and Paralympics Medals to be Symbol of Environmental Care in Alpine Region. (2022, July 15). Retrieved from https://www.milan2026.com/news/2026-winter-olympics-and-paralympics-medals-to-be-symbol-of-environmental-care-in-alpine-region

The ongoing commitment to sustainability in the production of the 2026 Winter Olympics and Paralympics medals extends beyond the metals, as the packaging will also be made from eco-friendly, certified materials with minimal plastic use, following the principles of environmental science.
In line with the five rings of the Olympic Games, the medals for the 2026 Winter Olympics and Paralympics, symbolizing sports achievement, will serve as a beacon for climate-change awareness and the preservation of the environment, embodying the essence of environmental-science and avant-garde design.