This year’s Epic Races Ann Arbor Tri kicked off at 7:30 a.m. on an overcast morning, with water temperature at Halfmoon Lake Beach 82 degrees, warm enough that wetsuits were discouraged. Air temperature was warm but quite reasonable for a triathlon.
I (Jeff) arrived at 6:15 to do a basic setup, which the Green Team completed around race start. No rush, as it would be some time before finishers began arriving. Over 300 athletes showed up to do a triathlon up to Olympic distance, duathlon, or aquabike.
Future triathletes help their mom over the finish line.
Never too young to be taught sustainability, either!
We set up the main Zero Waste Station between the food tents and finish line, and another in the beer area. Additional All Waste boxes were placed at the transition exits, food prep area, and at the finish line. We moved two park trash cans in the race area and put an All Waste box on another near the parking lot. We also posted “please clean up your station” signs on the bike racks, and they seemed to work, as there was very little litter to pick up at takedown.
Cole, Sue, and Debbie enjoying a fine morning of Zero Waste!
Epic had its usual full breakfast of egg & cheese wraps, pancakes, and PB&J wraps, along with their standard ice cream freezer and bags of popcorn. Food waste went to compost along with plates, utensils, and plain paper cups. Waxed paper cups, beer cans, cardboard, and boxboard, and plastic Gatorade bottles went to recycling. The Green Team was once again grateful for the Water Monsters and cups used at the finish line in place for disposable water bottles.
Tape was the largest contributor to landfill, which also included wet wipes and oily bags which held popcorn kernels. The ice cream wrappers weren’t too messy, so we put most of them with the snack bags.
Total waste was down about 20 percent from last year’s 157 lbs. Compost, recycling, and landfill all decreased. Attendance was basically flat, so less food must have been consumed.
Not much else to report. Everything went smoothly. Thanks to Bridget, Cole, Debbie, and Sue for being part of another awesome Green Team at this event!
Happy Planet Running 