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 whateverContinue reading “Uber Ober: Oberun Ypsilanti 2019 Sustainability Report”

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”

Swim, Bike, Run, Recycle: Island Lake Triathlon 2019 Sustainability Report

The summer triathlon season kicks off with an energetic event, live music, and beer. And we got it all in before the rain came! The Zero Waste effort had its share of challenges, but at least we stayed dry, and had a solid diversion rate.

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!

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”

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”

Epic Races and HPR Recognized for Zero Waste by USA Triathlon

More good press about Zero Waste at athletic events! An interview with Eva Solomon, founder and CEO of Epic Races, was published on the USA Triathlon website last September. Epic has used Happy Planet Running at their events since 2017. “I wanted Epic Races to be eco-friendly,” Eva said, but she had challenges at first. InContinue reading “Epic Races and HPR Recognized for Zero Waste by USA Triathlon”