At the Olympic Press Center in Milan, where around 4,000 press representatives work daily, managing waste has become a significant task. Eva Sommerschuh, who coordinates the cleaning staff, details how they keep the venue in order, often reacting to messes created by the high volume of visitors. With journalists from various backgrounds, the mixture of cultures leads to differences in waste management practices, particularly regarding coffee consumption, which can result in spills and littering.

Sommerschuh explains that cleanliness is not just the responsibility of the cleaning crew; it involves everyone working at the center. They follow a system where staff quickly report issues—like spills or litter—using a photo-sharing platform that alerts the cleaning team to address these problems promptly. This proactive approach allows them to maintain a standard of cleanliness despite the challenges posed by various customs and behaviors of the international press.

Moreover, the article touches on how the cultural practice of drinking coffee greatly influences the amount of waste produced. In Italy, people traditionally drink coffee while sitting or standing, avoiding the use of takeaway cups, in contrast to the habits of some other nationalities. This cultural nuance illustrates broader implications regarding public behaviors and the expectations of cleanliness at international events such as the Olympics, emphasizing the need for adaptability in waste management strategies for such occasions.