running

Waste-free, Trouble Free: Ann Arbor Firecracker 5K Sustainability Report

“How are things going, Jeff?” someone asked me during this year’s Firecracker 5K.

“Really well,” I replied. “In fact, it’s going so well I’m worried!”

I was only half joking. I’ve worked too many events that seem to be going well, only to be hit with some hidden unpleasant surprise (for instance, volunteers filling up the Starbucks recycling bins with food waste). But all went smoothly, even though we had to clear out quickly for the 4^th of July downtown parade. Read on for how we dealt with it!

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Dino-mite! 2019 Triceratops Triathlon Sustainability Report

A great start to this year’s T-Rex Triathlon series. Despite a few hiccups the Zero Waste team kept on top of things and achieved nearly 98 percent landfill diversion!

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July 3, 2019 0

Uber Ober: Oberun Ypsilanti 2019 Sustainability Report

A beautiful summer evening, live music, food, running – and beer. Does that sound to you like a formula for a popular event? You would be right! And that makes for a very busy few hours for the Zero Waste team. Could we avoid the near calamities of the past two years, and manage whatever new surprises awaited? Find out below!

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June 30, 2019 0

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 a baggie,” he said.

A similar event the week before DID result in all the trash fitting into a sandwich baggie. Now they want that kind of result every time. Tough group! Read about both events below.

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June 21, 2019 0

A Long, But Happy Day: 2019 Dexter-Ann Arbor Run Sustainability Report

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 98 percent landfill diversion? Not without a few bumps in the road – like almost having nowhere to put a thousand pounds of banana peels and pizza boxes. How did we manage it? Find out below?

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June 16, 2019 0

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!

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June 3, 2019 0

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!

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May 26, 2019 0

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!

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May 20, 2019 0

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, and we had nowhere to put hundreds of pounds of recyclables. It was time to implement my carefully thought-out contingency plan. Or scramble like hell. Or panic.

Which of the above did I choose? And how did it turn out? All is revealed below!

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May 19, 2019 0