The third triathlon in the RF Events T-Rex series kicked off on a beautiful evening in the Island Lake Recreation Area.
While attendance was nearly back to pre-pandemic levels, total waste dropped to its lowest ever – under 100 pounds! Contributing factors include optional, order-ahead T-shirts (reducing packaging), lighter medals with no inner plastic wrapping (and now sourced locally), and serving post-race sandwiches on napkins instead of plates.
The new model of just two waste stations – one by the parking lot and one in the finish area – continues to work well. “All waste” pails in transition replace full stations there. We also removed a recycle bin near the medals area, using only a bag for collecting plastic wrap from ice bags and bottle case wrap. There was only mild contamination. The only glitch was a lot of takedown as it was getting dark. For the August T-Rex, we may consider earlier takedown of the pavilions and some tables.
Happy Planet Running 
I wish more races did this.
My wife and the environment would be happier if they stopped giving out shirts.
Thanks for your comment. More races are going “shirt optional” and some are even going “finisher medal optional”. I hope that trend continues!