The RF Events T-Rex Triathlon series was back to normal last Wednesday, after a pint-sized Stegosaurus Tri earlier in June. Back to standard attendance, post-race sandwiches and live music, and the vibe of an athletic event! With a team of just two people, we set up a single Zero Waste Station near the parking lot,Continue reading “Triceratops Triathlon 2021 Sustainability Report”
Category Archives: Recycling
Epic Races Goddess Weekend 2021 Sustainability Report
The forecast for last weekend at Portage Lake predicted a soggy mess for the Epic Races Goddess 5K on Saturday and the Tri Goddess Tri on Sunday. But the weather goddesses were smiling down on us, and both days were (nearly) rain-free, making for happy athletes and happier staff. We set up our Zero WasteContinue reading “Epic Races Goddess Weekend 2021 Sustainability Report”
The New Running Reality: Scrumpy Skedaddle 2020
Sustainability Report: Scrumpy Skedaddle Date: October 4, 2020 Event company: RF Events Where: Almar Orchards, Flushing MI # Attendees: 400 Zero Waste Team size: 1 It’s been quite a while since Happy Planet Running has had an event to report about. Since February the great majority of running events have been virtual, and the fewContinue reading “The New Running Reality: Scrumpy Skedaddle 2020”
We’re Still Here!
Well, it’s been a long time since I’ve had an event to work. But Happy Planet Running is still here! And when racing resumes, so will my work to keep events as Zero Waste as possible. The last event I helped with, the Super 5K in February, seems like it happened years ago. Now it’sContinue reading “We’re Still Here!”
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.
Recyclable Cups? A New Hope
Runners love their coffee, and during races they need water and other hydration drinks. The most popular method for delivering the drinks continues to be paper cups. And why not? They’re inexpensive, lightweight, and do their job well. And they’re often provided free to races by sponsors such as Absopure. But the standard cup isContinue reading “Recyclable Cups? A New Hope”
Can You Recycle Race Bibs? Yes! (Updated)
UPDATE March 2020: It appears that DuPont no longer supports recycling of Tyvek race bibs. At this time the only race bib recycling option I can find is to use a Sporting Goods Zero Waste Box from TerraCycle. You can find it on their website at this link. They are also sold through some third-partyContinue reading “Can You Recycle Race Bibs? Yes! (Updated)”
Plastic Recycling Gets A Boost, and More
Some really good things have been happening recently with plastic recycling. And a few of them relate directly to the plastic we consume and discard at running events. Even at the Zero Waste events I work at and/or run in, plastic remains highly used, from water bottles and jugs to coffee and beer cups, disposableContinue reading “Plastic Recycling Gets A Boost, and More”
Don’t Just Toss Those Old Race Clothes!
Look, I get it. I’ve run plenty of wet, sloppy trail races. You expect a mess, so you bring along an old pair of shoes you intend to “retire” immediately after the race. You cross the finish line, change into clean and dry clothes, have a celebratory banana and beer, and then into the trashContinue reading “Don’t Just Toss Those Old Race Clothes!”
Recycling Marathon Heat Blankets: There Are Ways!
When I crossed the finish line of my first marathon back in 2011, I was handed a thin, light foil blanket. A runner’s body temperature begins to drop rapidly after stopping, and this was to retain some body heat until things stabilized. It was over eighty degrees and sunny that day, so there was noContinue reading “Recycling Marathon Heat Blankets: There Are Ways!”
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