The Epic Races Women Run the D was back on Belle Isle last Sunday, and with special divisions for two and three-generation runners, supporting the idea that, “the family that runs together has fun together.” Attendance was up for the third straight year, and with perfect weather I expected a busy day at the Zero Waste stations. I was not disappointed.
Teaching the next generator to be Zero Waste. Love it!
I set up the main station near the adult drink area. It was a bit farther away from the food tables than I liked, so I put an unstaffed station closer to them. All Waste boxes were put by the finish line water table, and one to the folks unwrapping finisher medals. The kitchen tent got a box for all waste and one for disposable gloves.
Total waste was up slightly from last year, but in line with the past three, with compostables down and recycling up, due to an increase in cardboard and waxed cups. Landfill was the usual contaminated foil, diapers, ice cream wrappers, wet wipes, and greasy plastic popcorn bags.
We were shortstaffed, as none of my interns were available, and I had just one volunteer, so cardboard, boxboard, and plastic strapping had to be piled up behind the station while we did our best to stay on top of the rush. The Epic staff sent over someone to help with that – thanks again, Ed! – and by takedown we’d mostly caught up. Aid station bags were sorted after the event, but with just about all cups it wasn’t a big effort.
Kevin busy at the main station.
We had no surprise “rogue trash cans” this year, and nothing in the way of improvements to suggest. Just hoping for a bigger team next time. Thanks to volunteer Kevin for his hard work!
Happy Planet Running 