Plastic, Cheap and Versatile: Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Replace, and Recycle as the Motto of the Commonwealth Games 2030 in Ahmedabad — A Comparative Sociological Analysis with the Olympic Movement

AbstractThis analytical paper explores the sociological implications of integrating sustainable waste management principles — Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Replace, and Recycle — into large-scale international sporting events. Drawing on case studies from the Olympic Games and projecting forward to the 2030 Commonwealth Games proposed in Ahmedabad, India, the research highlights how sports mega-events can influence public attitudes, policy frameworks, and social behavior towards sustainability. The study argues that the Commonwealth Games 2030 could become a landmark event in promoting environmental citizenship and eco-social responsibility in India.