Racing Green at SMSP

SMSP Sustainability

ARDC

Hand sorted, high impact: over 100,000 containers recycled at Sydney Motorsport Park in 2025

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Sustainability is not a side project at Sydney Motorsport Park; it is a part of how we operate every day. The Q2 Waste Audit highlights the impact of our commitment, with almost 80 percent of waste successfully diverted from landfill in the quarter.

In partnership with Closed Loop, Sydney Motorsport Park (SMSP) continues to produce strong sustainability results through reducing landfill waste at the track. From the thousands of containers recycled and cups saved, to the hours spent carefully hand sorting every piece of waste, these results demonstrate the combined efforts of SMSP and Closed Loop in creating meaningful change. Looking ahead, the Park is focused on building on this momentum as we work toward meeting and exceeding our sustainability targets.

Q2 Waste Audit Results 2025
The audit for Q2 shows significant improvement from the 2024 Q2 report and substantial achievements across all sustainability platforms:

  • 254.95m3 of waste diverted from landfill, representing 79.3% of all waste generated at SMSP.
  •  In Q2, a total of 270.74 sorting hours were used, meaning over 270 hours were spent hand sorting all our waste to optimise diversion rates.
  • $6,257.60 was raised through Container Deposit Scheme (CDS), from recycling nearly 60,000 units.
  • Year to date, we have recycled over 100,000 drink containers and raised over $10,000 for sustainable initiatives such as sorting hours by Closed Loop staff.
  • 5.5 tonnes of food waste was composted, reducing landfill and supporting sustainability practices.
  • 35,000 cups saved through Simply cups, contributing to an effective solution for single use products.

Upcoming Q3 Objectives
For the next quarter, SMSP is looking to build on the current results with sustainability initiatives:

  • Continue investing in sorting hours, with a target of 75% total diversion from landfill for 2025.
  • Installation of permanent bin station in the Paddock Grove to raise awareness and simplify sorting at major events.
  • Investigate the development of a permanent CDS bin in the Paddock Grove, made from sustainable materials such as Saveboard.

Future focus
The results for Q2 highlight the continuous impact of SMSP’s interest in waste management and sustainability practices. Looking forward, Sydney Motorsport Park will continue to increase sustainability efforts across all sectors. The main focus is meeting the 75% total landfill diversion target for 2025 and laying the ground work for future goals.

– Madeline Naylor

SYDNEY MOTORSPORT PARK NAMED AUSTRALIA’S MOST SUSTAINABLE CIRCUIT FOR FIFTH CONSECUTIVE YEAR

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July 2, 2025: Sydney Motorsport Park (SMSP) has once again been recognised as Australia’s most sustainable permanent motorsport circuit, achieving a top national ranking for the fifth year running in the Sustainable Circuits Index (SCI) 2025.

Released in June, this year’s global report assessed 117 motorsport venues from around the world, measuring their environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance against the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and the global ESG framework. SMSP not only retained its position as the top-ranked Australian circuit but also continued its status as a top performer among global permanent circuits; an international standing it has held since the SCI’s inception in 2021.

Sydney Motorsport Park remains the only permanent racetrack in Australia to hold a ‘trophy’ rank in the internationally recognised Sustainable Circuits Index. It is also the only Australian circuit to hold an official sustainability accreditation from the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA).

The Australian Racing Drivers’ Club (ARDC), operators of Sydney Motorsport Park, see this achievement as a reflection of their ongoing commitment to sustainability, innovation, and leadership in motorsport.

“Being recognised five years in a row speaks to the sustained efforts of our team,” said ARDC CEO Glenn Matthews.

“Our ranking reflects the real and ongoing work we’ve done – and continue to do – to minimise our environmental impact and maximise our positive contribution to our community and the sport.”

The Eastern Creek Circuit’s consistently high SCI ranking reflects the ARDC’s implementation of measurable initiatives across waste reduction, energy efficiency, and stakeholder engagement. The circuit has adopted a range of sustainability programs including onsite waste management and circular economy initiatives, community education and engagement programs, energy efficiency improvements across its operations, and support for local economic development and environmental initiatives through events and partnerships.

The 2025 SCI shows a growing commitment to sustainability in motorsport from circuits worldwide, with a marked increase in certifications and FIA Environmental Accreditations. Mugello Circuit (Italy) topped the rankings, with Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya (Spain) second and equal third to Silverstone (UK) and Circuit de la Sarthe (France), and SMSP’s consistent performance places it in respected international company.

“We are proud to represent and lead Australia on the world stage,” said Matthews.

“But this isn’t a sprint to the finish: sustainability is an endurance race. We have more to accomplish, and we’re committed to continually raising the bar at our Club and at the circuit we proudly operate.”

To view the full 2025 SCI report and learn more about the assessment methodology and rankings, visit sustainability.smsp.com.au or contact [email protected].

VIDEO Under The Hood: Racing Green

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At the ARDC, we’re incredibly proud to be leading the charge for change at Sydney Motorsport Park. SMSP has been Australia’s #1 ranked sustainable circuit for four years running, and the only FIA Environmentally Accredited circuit in Australia.
We’re excited to share a behind the scenes look during our Supercars opening round of ’25, working closely with our incredible partners to ensure when we go racing, we’re ‘Racing Green’.

A big thank you to Closed Loop Environmental Services, Hyundai Australia, GEMA Group, Supercars and our innovation partners for helping our sustainability journey.

SMSP Circuit achieves Australia’s first FIA sustainability accreditation

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The Australian Racing Drivers’ Club (ARDC is pleased to announce that Sydney Motorsport Park (SMSP), which it manages in partnership with the NSW Government, has received Australia’s first and only sustainability accreditation[TN1]  from motorsport’s governing body, the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), as part of its Environmental Accreditation Programme.

This remarkable achievement places Sydney Motorsport Park among an elite group of just 19 world-class venues, including Silverstone, Monza, Imola, and Mugello, to have earned this prestigious industry accreditation. Additionally, SMSP has advanced directly to a two-star rating out of a possible three stars, thanks to its impressive progress in the field of sustainability.

In July of this year, SMSP again retained its status of Australia’s #1 most sustainable circuit in the global Sustainable Circuits Index, which it has held since 2021. SMSP remains the only permanent racetrack in Australia to receive a ranking in the internationally recognised index.  [TN2] 

ARDC Sustainability Manager, Tan Nguyen, was pleased for SMSP to continue to lead the way in Australian Motorsport.

“Sustainability in motorsport is so much more than repurposing consumables like tyres, it’s about adapting a mindset towards more environmentally friendly methods and processes,” said Tan.

“Most importantly, however, it’s about instilling a culture of constant improvement.”

ARDC CEO, Glenn Matthews, echoed Tan’s sentiments, and acknowledged that tackling sustainability is a shared responsibility.

“The ARDC partners with a range of leading organisations that share our vision, including Closed Loop and global beverage group, Asahi,” Glenn said.

“SMSP’s international recognition for sustainability is testament to the relentless dedication and hard work of our partners.”

As a major drawcard in the Supercars season race calendar, the night round held at SMSP in July once again saw the multi-faceted entertainment precinct beat its own sustainability performance, diverting 76% of waste generated from landfill – a 10% improvement over the 2023 event.

Supercars COO, Tim Watsford, commended the ARDC for its fierce support of the premiere motorsport category’s own drive for more environmentally friendly practises.

“Like every facet of our sport, sustainability is a team effort and something we aspire to do together,” said Tim.

“The ARDC and its running of Sydney Motorsport Park is the gold standard for sustainable best practise in Australia, and we relish the opportunity to continue to push each other to improve and reach for even better outcomes in the future.”

By the Numbers: Sustainability at SMSP

With several months still to go, 2024 is continuing to shape up as another strong year of sustainable performance for the ARDC and SMSP, with the circuit already achieving the following in the first nine months of the year:

  • Processed 894.7m³ of waste, with 650.5 m³ saved from landfill through recycling, repurposing, and composting.
  • 6700 litres of cooking and motor oil recycled and used for other purposed, such as biodiesel. 
  • Over 60,000 coffee cups recycled and sent for upcycling projects, including building and construction materials.
  • All waste was hand sorted on-site into 9 distinct waste streams: General Waste, Comingled Recycling, Paper & Cardboard, Simply Cups, Container Deposit Scheme, Organics, EPS (Polystyrene Foam), Scrap Metal, and Oil.

Sustainability.SMSP.com.au

 [TN1]Sydney Motorsport Park is the FIRST and ONLY circuit in Australia to receive FIA’s Environmental Accreditation 

 [TN2]Many other Australian circuits are included in the index but none of them received a ranking (e.g., Phillip Island, QR, The Bend)

The Sustainable Circuits Index™

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#1 in Australia, four years running.

The annual Sustainable Circuits Index™ (SCI) was created in 2021 to allow those involved in motorsport to benchmark each other, to identify best practices and ultimately to monitor the sustainable development of this segment of the industry.

Enovation Consulting Ltd. and Right Hub Srl composed the report introducing the new Sustainable Circuits Index™ (SCI), as part of the Sustainable Motorsport Index™ (SMI) family, which reviews the disclosures made by motorsport circuits in relation to their sustainability commitments and practices.

The SCI offers an important contribution that aims to accelerate the sustainability movement across the motorsport industry; to encourage circuits to disclose more about their sustainability strategies and practices, and encourage all stakeholders to engage in the process of defining best practices and setting relevant standards when it comes to sustainability in Motorsport.

The SCI ranked 96 Circuits worldwide​ in its first year, offering an outline rating between zero and four based on each permanent circuit’s performance. A score of four indicates a high score, while a zero is the lowest.

Sydney Motorsport Park ranked in the top 36; the only Australian Circuit to do so.

In 2023, SMSP received an ‘Honourable Mention for going ‘above and beyond to radically improve their year-on-year sustainability performance.” See below for the full excerpt.

SMSP also ranked 23rd in the world, first in Australia (again), and more than doubled our absolute SCI score.

READ THE PAPERS:

Racing towards a sustainable future: a review of the global sustainability performance of motorsport championships

Reference: sustainablemotorsportindex.com

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