sustainability
management

We are committed to transparency within our company and the continuous improvement of all processes. To meet this commitment, we adhere to the following management systems and undergo regular audits and certifications:

Green Globe Certification (Platinum Status)

• Continuously certified since 2010 (Germany’s first multifunctional arena)
• Recertification in 2025 following a scheduled audit
• Platinum status with 96% of criteria met
• Assessment in areas including sustainability, resource use, social standards, occupational health and safety, visitor information, and customer satisfaction

• Consistent resource conservation as a key success factor

   

  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)

Energy & Buildings

• Reducing heat demand through green, facade-insulating roof surfaces and pre-conditioning outdoor air for temperature regulation
• Upgraded building management systems for efficient control of all technical systems
• Lighting control via timers
• Complete transition to long-lasting LED technology: Compared to the previously used lighting technology, the calculated electricity demand decreased—depending on the lighting class—by 42 to 75%.

Water

• Water savings through water-saving aerators and flow limiters 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, screens, LED displays)

Through consistent waste management—including waste separation, waste compactors, separate Styrofoam collection, and proper disposal of aerosol cans—we reduce waste and environmental impact in our event operations.

At the Max-Schmeling-Halle, we use the Tork PaperCircle recycling program. According to Tork PaperCircle’s calculations, 10,325 kg of paper towels were recycled from January 2024 to January 2026, resulting in a calculated reduction of 4,470 kg of CO₂e.

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, for example, to generate energy.

• 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 rail and public transit as early as the hall’s construction phase. More information on getting here.

• Additional options for low-carbon mobility include, for example, traveling by rental bike or scooter.

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 informational signs in the arena and our online channels, we highlight our initiatives and continuously refine them.

Key areas 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