High Standards: Flirt with Dirt and Canton Liberty Run Sustainability Reports

After we wrapped up the waste collection at the Canton Liberty Run, I brought the tiny bag of landfill waste to show the RF Events staff. It was less than one percent of the total waste we collected. They were impressed as usual – except for one who seemed a bit disappointed. “It isn’t aContinue reading “High Standards: Flirt with Dirt and Canton Liberty Run Sustainability Reports”

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”

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”

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”

Scared Trashless! Run Scream Run 2018 Sustainability Report

Imagine 1,500 monsters running through a haunted orchard, hungry for cider and donuts afterward. But there’s something even scarier than a haunted orchard, and that’s a haunted orchard full of litter. Who you gonna call? TRASH BUSTERS! Was the Zero Waste team frightened by all the scary runners and their trash? We ain’t afraid ofContinue reading “Scared Trashless! Run Scream Run 2018 Sustainability Report”