Towards waste neutral marathons ….

Marathons are becoming an integral part of Pune's fitness culture. Some participate to clock records while many stand ready at the starting point for fitness. The fact is that these events are getting a huge response with tens of thousands participating in each event. The participation that is being seen is upwards of few hundreds to thousands or more for larger marathons. To add to it Pune and surrounding areas offers a beautiful topography from city roads to hills and lake sides. It is a beautiful mix for events like marathon which traverse long distances. 

From running groups to corporates, hospitals and other institutions everyone is promoting some social cause along with fitness through these marathons, cyclothons and walkathons. This is great and must only get better from here !  But with this comes one more challenge and that is of waste management . At a time when the climate crisis is a reality and waste management is becoming an important factor for sustainability, waste negative, neutral events are not an option, it is a definitive step towards sustainability. 

 

Every event big or small generates some amount of waste . In the case of marathons water bottles, food packets along with other dry and wet waste form the chunk of the waste generated . 

 

There are certain static items which are a part of the marathon to encourage people participation . These include apparels / Tshirts , BIBs , goodies, certificates etc . 

 

The two main challenges related to such big events is increasing consumption with increasing participation and resultant waste generation . With lack of awareness amongst people various types of waste gets mixed up and go to landfills. Also the marathons are spread over a large area depending on the type of the competition like full marathon, half marathon or mini marathon. So litter can be spread over a large area and becomes difficult for any single organisation to clean up. 

 

So can anything be done to reduce the waste generated ?  This is where Adar Poonawalla Clean City Initiative (APCCI) is playing it's part by collaborating with various marathons and helping them ensure that no waste generated is left behind .

 

APCCI’s Role in Reducing Marathon Waste

The APCCI is playing a crucial role in addressing the waste generation at Pune's marathons. By partnering with various marathon organizers, APCCI ensures that waste is not left behind, making these events cleaner and more sustainable. Over the past few years, APCCI has worked with more than 80 marathons, helping them take the necessary steps towards waste reduction.

The process starts with setting up designated bins for dry and wet waste across the marathon routes. The dry waste is collected by APCCI, while the wet waste is sent for composting. This initiative is part of a broader push to reduce the environmental footprint of marathons and to encourage event organizers to think more sustainably.

Simple Changes to Reduce Waste

There are several ways marathons can reduce their environmental impact, and with the collaboration of organizers, participants, and volunteers, a significant difference can be made. Here are some of the key changes that can help reduce waste generation:

1.   Bring Your Own Bottle: Not every participant is running to set a new record; many are running for fitness. By asking participants to bring their own water bottles, organizers can reduce the need for single-use plastic bottles. Hydration stations can offer refills instead of handing out bottled water.

2.   Switch to Paper Cups: For those who may not bring their own bottles, using paper cups instead of plastic bottles at hydration points can significantly reduce waste. These cups can be collected and recycled, preventing littering along the race route.

3.   Digital Certificates: Instead of printing certificates for every participant, organizers can consider offering digital certificates. This simple change can save a significant amount of paper and ink, reducing waste in the process.

4.   Waste Segregation and Awareness: Increasing awareness about waste segregation at marathons is essential. By setting up clear waste disposal points for dry and wet waste, participants can be encouraged to dispose of their trash correctly, reducing the likelihood of contamination.

5.   Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle: Organizers can opt for reusable race materials like banners and signs. They can also repurpose old event materials for future races to avoid unnecessary consumption.

 

The change won't happen overnight, but with awareness we can collectively bring about a change .. The response is encouraging . It is heartening to see that organisers and participants are aware about the gravity of the impending crisis of climate change and waste management .

 

So if you are an organiser you can simply send an email- leadv@adarpcleancity.com and ceo@adarpcleancity.com