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”
Author Archives: happyplanetrunning
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”
Waterloo Grit & Gravel Sustainability Report
Spring bike races are almost guaranteed to generate a lot of dirty cyclists, and such was the case last Saturday. But the Zero Waste team kept the grounds clean and finished the day without enough trash to fill a swag bag. Read on to find out how we did it!
Green Race, Green Results! Shamrocks & Shenanigans 2019 Sustainability Report
It was a cold, wet morning in Ann Arbor, but over a thousand brave souls turned up to run a 5K (and drink beer), and some equally brave kids ran a 1K (and ate ice cream). The Zero Waste team had to do its best to stay reasonably dry and warm while making sure theContinue reading “Green Race, Green Results! Shamrocks & Shenanigans 2019 Sustainability Report”
Single-Use Coffee Pods Just Got Less Evil
A few years ago, I was waiting in line at a Whole Foods coffee bar. A woman asked the barista, “What do you recommend for a Keurig?” The resulting pause was too long; I couldn’t resist. “A sledgehammer,” I piped up. (*) Snarky advice and fantasies aside, I do not encourage the wanton destruction ofContinue reading “Single-Use Coffee Pods Just Got Less Evil”
Epic Races and HPR Recognized for Zero Waste by USA Triathlon
More good press about Zero Waste at athletic events! An interview with Eva Solomon, founder and CEO of Epic Races, was published on the USA Triathlon website last September. Epic has used Happy Planet Running at their events since 2017. “I wanted Epic Races to be eco-friendly,” Eva said, but she had challenges at first. InContinue reading “Epic Races and HPR Recognized for Zero Waste by USA Triathlon”
Recycling Roundup, Week of Feb. 25, 2019: Zero Waste Cities
A number of cities around the world – at least 25, according to National Geographic – are pursuing Zero Waste as a city-wide initiative. Of the 94 major cities in the C40 Cities organization, 23 have signed a commitment that includes the following goals by the year 2030: Cut the amount of waste generated byContinue reading “Recycling Roundup, Week of Feb. 25, 2019: Zero Waste Cities”
Recycling Roundup, Week of Feb. 18, 2019: Focus on Reduction
What’s a much better way to deal with single use plastics than recycling them? Not using them in the first place. It’s no secret that the world is swimming in plastic waste. In some cases, literally. And a good deal of that plastic was designed for single use. Plastic water and soda bottles, straws, utensils,Continue reading “Recycling Roundup, Week of Feb. 18, 2019: Focus on Reduction”
And It’s Good! Super 5K 2019 Sustainability Report
This year’s Super 5K had decent weather and a good turnout, with football regalia all about, and a visit by the Detroit Lions mascot. The Zero Waste effort scored big overall, but had several annoying fumbles by the runners. I think we had more pint glasses broken than points scored in the Super Bowl!
Happy Planet Running 