Sustainability Management

Transparency within our company and the continuous improvement of all processes are our goals. To meet these goals, we are committed to the following management systems, as well as regular audits and certifications:

Certified Management Systems (TÜV-certified)

• DIN EN ISO 14001 – Environmental Management
• DIN EN ISO 50001 – Energy Management
• DIN EN ISO 9001 – Quality Management

• DIN ISO 45001 – Occupational Health and Safety

   

  EcoVadis Sustainability Rating (Apleona Group)

  • Annual assessment by an independent sustainability rating agency
  • 21 criteria in the areas of Environment & Energy, Labor & Human Rights, Ethics & Compliance, and Sustainable Procurement
  • EcoVadis Platinum Certificate 2023 (for the third consecutive year, highest distinction)

Through consistent waste management—including waste separation, waste compactors, separate Styrofoam collection, and proper disposal of propellant gas containers—we reduce waste and environmental impact during event operations.

The dismantled cycling track was repurposed in line with the principles of a circular economy: the wood is being reused in the Velodrom as furniture and art objects, among other things.

At the Velodrom, we use the Tork PaperCircle recycling program. According to Tork PaperCircle’s calculations, 1,235 kg of paper towels were recycled and 534 kg of CO₂ were saved from January 2024 to January 2026.

Since 2015, we have been collecting used cooking oil and food waste at the Max-Schmeling-Halle and the Velodrom through our partner Bral and sending it for recycling, such as for energy production.

Energy & Buildings

• Complete transition to long-lasting LED technology: Compared to the lighting technology previously used, the calculated electricity consumption decreased—depending on the lighting class—by 42 to 75%.

Water

• Water savings through water-saving aerators and timers on faucets and showers
• Cold-water supply in all visitor areas

Cleaning

• Use of a “Clean & Green”-certified cleaning process

Resources

• Reduced paper consumption through paperless management processes, centralized print management, and digital communication (newsletters, social media)

• Use of suppliers offering regionally sourced, seasonal, and/or organically produced food

• Avoiding: straws and plastic cutlery; using bulk containers instead of small packages

• Use of returnable cups instead of disposable cups, avoidance of large amounts of waste, and use of waste compactors to minimize waste volume

• Donating surplus food and beverages to various nonprofit organizations

• Freshly prepared vegetarian and vegan food options

Purchasing and sustainability are closely linked. For Velomax, sustainable purchasing means consciously selecting products and services that are provided in an environmentally and socially responsible manner. The goal is to minimize negative impacts on the environment and society as much as possible.

When procuring goods and services, Velomax takes the following criteria into account, among others:

• Purchasing 100% green electricity from renewable energy sources
• Binding sustainability and social standards for all procurement processes, including compliance with minimum wage and collective bargaining agreements, occupational safety, payment of social security contributions, and the exclusion of bogus self-employment
• Exclusive collaboration with suppliers listed on the Newtron supplier platform, with a preference for regional suppliers
• CO₂ offsetting for mail sent within the corporate group, as well as for business travel and the vehicle fleet

• Minimizing CO2 emissions from guest and staff travel to and from the event by encouraging the use of trains and public transportation, starting as early as the arena’s construction phase. More information on getting there.

• Additional options for low-carbon mobility include, for example, traveling by rental bike or scooter. There are several rental stations near the arena.

Every year, hundreds of thousands of people visit the arena and its adjacent halls. We use this broad reach responsibly to provide transparent information about our environmental, energy, and social initiatives.

Through our online channels, we highlight our sustainability efforts, raise awareness, and continuously refine our activities.

Key focuses of our communication:

• Embedding the sustainability strategy in corporate principles and communication tools
• Sharing knowledge through guided tours and presentations
• Best-practice presentations and talks at industry and professional events
• Active dialogue with regional and national media