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”
Tag Archives: running
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”
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”
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”
Choc Up Another Good Race! Hot Cocoa Classic Sustainability Report
How do you attract runners to a November morning race with a steep climb in it? With chocolate, of course! With a “chocolate aid station” and hot cocoa for recovery, several hundred people cheerfully ran or walked up and down the Mt. Brighton ski hill. The challenge for the Zero Waste team is handling aContinue reading “Choc Up Another Good Race! Hot Cocoa Classic Sustainability Report”
Slam that Cider! Scrumpy Skedaddle 2018 Sustainability Report
The Scrumpy Skedaddle is a lot of fun, but also challenging to the Zero Waste team. A lot of people are served pancakes and cider in a short time, there’s a lot of cardboard to take care of, and the waste bins are very popular with the local yellow jackets. This year rain was alsoContinue reading “Slam that Cider! Scrumpy Skedaddle 2018 Sustainability Report”
Lots of Love and Running, Not Much Waste! Run Woodstock 2018 Sustainability Report
The music was grooving, the weather was cool, and the trails were in top condition. Sounds like a perfect recipe for a weekend of camping and trail running! And so it proved for this year’s Run Woodstock at Hell Creek Ranch. But with a record number of campers, could the Zero Waste Team stay onContinue reading “Lots of Love and Running, Not Much Waste! Run Woodstock 2018 Sustainability Report”
A Day in Hell: Dances with Dirt 2018 Sustainability Report
This race has it all. Solo ultras, a 100K relay, beer and pizza at the end, … and a long day for the staff, including the Zero Waste team. The past two years, the rush of people all leaving at once has overwhelmed the Zero Waste team with rapidly filled bags of beer cans andContinue reading “A Day in Hell: Dances with Dirt 2018 Sustainability Report”
Detroit Women’s Half Marathon 2018 Sustainability Report
The Zero Waste effort at the Detroit Women’s Half was abuzz with activity – not all of it helpful, unfortunately. But despite that, we ended up with a bee-utiful day and a “honey” of a result! See below for the scoop!
Happy Planet Running 