It was full-on early Halloween at Run Scream Run at Wiard’s Orchards. Over 700 superheroes (and villains), scary creatures, and even hobbits showed up to run the 5K, 10K, or one-miler through the orchard, nearby trails, and the Haunted Village at the end. The hobbits were happy to see the Green Team. “We definitely recycle in the Shire,” they told us.
A sampling of the colorful characters who showed up to run.
We had four on the Green Team this year, consisting of Jeff, intern Olivia, and regular volunteers Bridget and her son Andrew, who ran the 5K and got an age group award. A good morning’s work, if you ask me!
As usual, we set up Zero Waste stations on either end of the building where cider and donuts are served. We added an All Waste box near the porta-potties. The finish line crew brought us cardboard, collected wrap from awards and other miscellaneous items.
Sure, the shirt’s free, but how can it possibly be cooler than what he’s wearing?
Major waste streams were cardboard, banana peels and donuts, and cups from cider and the water stops. The cider cups were waxed this year, a letdown because the sticky cider meant we had to rinse each one for recycling. Last year compostable cups were used, and I hope we can return to using them next year.
Olivia and Bridget rinsing the cider cups. Yup, it’s as fun as it looks.
The small amount of landfill came from waxed liners from the donut boxes, diapers, and some tape.
We finished up before noon, with a cleanup team from Wiard’s watching as we packed all the waste into the trailer. “My goal is for you guys to have absolutely nothing to do,” I told them. I think we succeeded!
Happy Planet Running 