It was a beautiful morning, and runners were out in force for the annual 13.1-mile jaunt along the Huron River from Dexter to Ann Arbor. This was great news for the Ann Arbor Track Club and local businesses. But could the Zero Waste team stay of top of the festivities and repeat last year’s 98Continue reading “A Long, But Happy Day: 2019 Dexter-Ann Arbor Run Sustainability Report”
Author Archives: happyplanetrunning
Swim, Bike, Run, Recycle: Island Lake Triathlon 2019 Sustainability Report
The summer triathlon season kicks off with an energetic event, live music, and beer. And we got it all in before the rain came! The Zero Waste effort had its share of challenges, but at least we stayed dry, and had a solid diversion rate.
Going Long for a Great Cause: Veterans Memorial 150 2019 Sustainability Report
Supporting Zero Waste at any running event is challenging. But how about a three-day point-to-point race that crosses an entire state? What would be the greater challenge – running the race, or applying sustainable practices for 150 miles? We were going to find out!
The Forth is With Zero Waste! Upland Hills 5K/10K Sustainability Report
A fun little trail race that also shows no matter how small the event, you can make it sustainable and cost effective!
Celebrating Moms and Mother Earth: Ann Arbor Goddess 2019 Sustainability Report
A 5K on Mother’s Day to promote fitness, fight cancer, and celebrate motherhood ought to be equally respectful to our planet. And the event’s Green Team was equal to the challenge, putting in an effort we hope our Moms would be proud of!
Despite a Fail, We Prevail! Hightail to Ale 2019 Sustainability Report
Morning, Friday, May 10. It was cool in Ann Arbor. While getting ready for the Hightail to Ale 5K that evening, I received a text from the event director regarding the recycling rolloff I’d ordered: “Hey Jeff, no dumpster on site” So in a few hours we’d be serving several thousand runners food and beer,Continue reading “Despite a Fail, We Prevail! Hightail to Ale 2019 Sustainability Report”
Cupless and Trashless! Trail Marathon Weekend 2019 Sustainability Report
While I was holding down a Zero Waste station last weekend, someone approached me holding a small bag of dog poop and looking confused. “I can’t find a trash bin anywhere,” he told me. I assured him that was the idea. For this was Trail Marathon Weekend, which has been Zero Waste since 2016, andContinue reading “Cupless and Trashless! Trail Marathon Weekend 2019 Sustainability Report”
A Perfect Day for an Invasion! Martian Races 2019 Sustainability Report
What a difference a year makes! From the freezing rain in 2018 to a cool, sunny day in 2019, conditions were much improved for both the runners and the people working the race. The Zero Waste team also benefited from the great weather and more experienced help. While last year the sorting had to beContinue reading “A Perfect Day for an Invasion! Martian Races 2019 Sustainability Report”
How I Failed a Cupless Race
All right, I’m just going to come out and say it right here. I failed my first cupless race. Yes, me. Mister Zero Waste, owner of an event sustainability company and decrier of our current throwaway society. Here I will confess all, so you can learn from my sad experience and avoid similar shame.
Greening Up in March! Ann Arbor Marathon Sustainability Report
What’s one way to clean up Ann Arbor? Hold a marathon! For this year’s Ann Arbor Marathon, the Zero Waste effort not only left the start/finish area cleaner than we found it, we did the same with the course! From a Saturday plog to a true team effort on Sunday, we “greened up” our fairContinue reading “Greening Up in March! Ann Arbor Marathon Sustainability Report”
Happy Planet Running 