About Us

Welcome!

I’m Jeff, and my company, Happy Planet Running, is the result of my passion to improve the sustainability of running events. Running is an integral part of who I am. It’s changed my life for the better in many ways, and this is one way I can give back to the sport. My mission is to provide affordable Zero Waste services to small-to-medium sized events (100-5,000 runners).

I started running in my forties as a way to keep in shape, and ran my first race in 2008. I now run over 1,000 miles per year and compete in races from 5K to 150 miles, with a few triathlons thrown in for good measure. (You can follow my continuing adventures in running and other fitness activities at my personal blog, RunBikeThrow.)

Along the way, I began volunteering at races, and one thing always bothered me – the amount of waste tossed into dumpsters at the end of the event, with no provisions for recycling, composting, or other methods for keeping it out of landfills.

My research into finding a better way led me to the Gazelle Girl (now She Runs Grand Rapids) race in Grand Rapids, MI. They attract over 3,000 runners and spectators, and generate almost no landfill trash. In 2015 it was one of only two running events in Michigan receiving sustainability certification from the Council for Responsible Sport.

This was something I had to check out. So I signed up for their “Green Team” at the 2015 event and discovered what’s possible with the right network and dedicated people.

I brought that experience back to Ann Arbor and made pitches to RF Events and Epic Races, local companies that together put on over 30 races per year. I offered to help them become Zero Waste, and to perhaps their everlasting regret, they accepted.

After a year doing Zero Waste as a volunteer, I founded Happy Planet Running in 2017, and have now provided services to over 150 events, including running races from 5K to ultramarathons, bike races, triathlons, ski races, and even a snowshoe race. And we’ve composted or recycled over 35 tons of material, with an average 95 percent landfill diversion rate!

This site contains sustainability reports from every event I’ve worked at, with information on planning, setup, onsite work, and the results by waste stream. In addition, I post about innovative approaches to recycling, composting, and waste reduction that will hopefully get us closer to a true “circular economy” where Zero Waste is built into everything, and not seen as a costly and distracting add-on.

If you like what you see here, I hope you’ll share it with others. And maybe it will inspire you to get involved with sustainable events in your own community. Or start one! Contact me – I’d love to help.

I also welcome your stories and experiences, good or bad, with recycling, composting, upcycling, or anything else related to sustainable events. Send me an email. I love talking trash!

_{This article last updated June 5, 2023.}

Our Partners

Recycling

TerraCycle

A recycling company that accepts most materials outside of regular recycling, great for race and special events. Offers free collection programs as well as prepaid boxes. This company is a Happy Planet Running staple!

Michigan Waste Facility Database

Here is our quick database on Michigan recycling and compost facilities. It contains the city, address, and their acceptable materials guide!

Educational Information

Earth911

Articles on sustainable living, recycling, waste reduction, and more!

ParentGiving: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycling

Page is filled with amazing resources and articles about general recycling that everyone should know!

A Green Guide to Old Clothing!

How to donate, sell, or reuse old clothing!

Sustainability Businesses

BGreen

Local Ann Arbor business that sells compostable supplies perfect for any event. This is another HPR staple!

Green Michigan

Affordable non-profit that helps educate, organize, and plan sustainable communities and events!

Zero Waste Washtenaw

Local zero-waste service for Washtenaw County for any event! Also provides many waste-related resources.