Running Towards A Greener Future
- Up & Away
- Dec 5, 2018
- 3 min read
Updated: Dec 6, 2018
Going green at your next marathon
Over 50,000 runners will be taking part in this weekend’s Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon 2018, which will be held over two days for the first time.
While it is great to see an increasing number of Singaporeans picking up a healthier lifestyle, it is also worrying to see the sheer amount of waste which are generated from these mass events. Common waste items include plastic bottles, banana peels, paper cups, energy bar and gel packaging.
As a reference to last year’s OSIM Sundown Marathon, which had around 27,000 runners in attendance, the event generated over 22,000 kg of waste from 39,700 banana peels, 18,075 packs of energy gels, paper cups and water bottles. Even with recycling bins around, there’s also the risk of recycling contamination.
Thankfully, with the help of green groups and individuals, race organisers are now paying more attention to the waste issues from such large-scale events. For instance, the Income Eco Run 2018 held earlier this year had close to 2,000 Zero Waste runners who gave up their finisher tees and/or race medals. Organisations such as Tzu Chi and Green Nudge have also partnered with organisers to assist them to reduce the amount of waste generated.
Likewise for this weekend’s race, Green Nudge will also be partnering up with the race organisers, IRONMAN to implement such green initiatives.
With the help of their volunteers, Green Nudge will be setting up clear signages at the finishing point at the F1 Pit Building to direct runners to dispose their trash correctly. Specifically, into three different categories - (1) for banana peels, (2) recyclables such as plastic bottles and cans, (3) general trash. The team hopes to increase the rate of proper recycling and awareness amongst the general public.
According to Li Seng, founder of Green Nudge, the team is targeting to collect between 800-1,000 kg of banana peels which will be used for composting at community gardens.
As for runners, here’s 5 other things which you can do on a personal level:
1. Make a statement (Pre-Race)
Make a pledge to be a zero-waste runner at the Green Nudge booth during the race pack collection, as the team will be present to share more about the sustainability issues at mass events and what we can do as individuals.
Create your own running tag or perhaps even a running outfit made from upcycled items to raise awareness about the environmental issues!
2. Car-pool / Shuttle Bus
Help play your part to make the event carbon neutral! Reduce your carbon footprint by opting for carbon-lite transport options such as carpooling (Grab, Ryde) or shuttle bus services (ShareTransport)!
3. BYO (During Race)
You don't need a metal straw for this, you just need to bring your own bottle for refills. If that’s too troublesome, can also trying reusing the same paper cup for a start.
Apart from reducing the amount of disposable paper cups used (which are not recyclable due to a plastic lining within), runners can also hydrate at the comfort of your own pace.
4. Recycle right
Look out for the volunteers from Green Nudge who will be clad in bright green vests at the finishing point on race day! Learn from their team of volunteers and be sure to throw your trash into the correct bins.
Used towels and safety pins (from the race bibs) will also be collected and repurposed for other social causes.
5. Spread the word
Be proud of your achievement! It’s never easy to complete a marathon, and it’s even more commendable for you to take the extra step to help save the environment. Snap photos and share your experience on social media with your family and friends. Hashtag #binitright or #greennudgesg to let everyone know of your achievements!
For non-runners, fret not! If you are around the corner or would like to help out, come by the finishing point at the F1 Pit Building after 8am on each day, and help to encourage runners to bin their waste responsibly and properly!
Apart from these initiatives, Green Nudge will also seek to calculate the amount of waste generated; by analyzing these statistics and behavioural insights, they hope to better understand how these waste are generated, formulate more effective measures and scale up such best practices for future events.
To learn more about their cause, do check out their page here!
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