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.
Category Archives: Events
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”
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!
“Yeti ‘nother” Great Result! Bigfoot Snowshoe Race 2019 Sustainability Report
Welcome to the Bigfoot Snowshoe race, where the temperature – and the trash – were both close to zero this year! You know a Zero Waste effort is going well when you have less than one pound of trash but still want to do better. And then we found a way to reduce it toContinue reading ““Yeti ‘nother” Great Result! Bigfoot Snowshoe Race 2019 Sustainability Report”
Great Kickoff to 2019: Frosty Freestyle Sustainability Report
There was no natural snow on the ground, but the lodge had made enough to cover the race course. It was a bit unusual to see a white stripe on the exposed green and brown golf course, but it was fine for skiing. So the Frosty Freestyle races went on, and the Zero Waste teamContinue reading “Great Kickoff to 2019: Frosty Freestyle Sustainability Report”
Damn Good Year! 2018 in Review
What a year! Here are the results from events serviced by Happy Planet Running in 2018, with 95 percent average landfill diversion! Here’s the breakdown by waste stream. By the numbers: Number of events: 34 Total attendance: 48,000 Total waste managed: 15,700 lbs. (nearly eight tons!) Best events: RF Events Flirt with Dirt, the EpicContinue reading “Damn Good Year! 2018 in Review”
Holiday Hustle 2018 Sustainability Report
It was Hustle time in downtown Dexter, with a beautiful sunny afternoon highlighting the colorful decorations and the costumes of runners. But it was cold, which was a challenge for those working the race instead of running it. Challenges for the Zero Waste team include setting up in the cold, takedown in the dark andContinue reading “Holiday Hustle 2018 Sustainability Report”
Stuff Turkeys, not Trash Bags! Ann Arbor Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot Sustainability Report
What’s one way to really appreciate a hot Thanksgiving Day dinner with family and friends? Run a cold 5K in the morning! This Thanksgiving Day 3,400 runners toed the line in downtown Ann Arbor for a turkey trot and warmed up with cookies, coffee, and hot chocolate afterward. So despite hand and feet-numbing cold, theContinue reading “Stuff Turkeys, not Trash Bags! Ann Arbor Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot Sustainability Report”
Happy Planet Running 