Big Sur Half Marathon Races For Waste Reduction!
This America Recycles Day on November 15th was celebrated early by over 5,000 runners racing in the Big Sur Half Marathon & 5K Run on November 11, 2007 and the Just Run Just Kids 3K Run on November 10, 2007. Runners from across the nation and beyond were joined by thousands of spectators running their own race to recycle the most amount of material ever diverted by this premier Half Marathon event.
They may not have been aware that the waste reduction race was on, but event participants and onlookers alike were able to get a leg in by giving a hand to the recycling efforts underway during the event. Tossing a bottle or can into a blue recycling bin was their ticket for admission to the waste reduction race. By recycling, everyone present at this year’s events was a waste reduction race winner!
In partnership with the Big Sur Half Marathon (BSHM), Big Sur International Marathon (BSIM) administration, Monterey Regional Waste Management District (MRWMD), the California Conservation Corps and the California Department of Conservation, Ecology Action helped the 2007 BSIM events implement comprehensive recycling and waste reduction strategies to recycle more bottles, cans and other recyclables than ever before. By ensuring that blue recycling containers were prominently displayed next to every trash container, posting promotional signs encouraging viewers and participants to do their part to recycle during the event and including recycling information in participant registration packets, the BSIM organization clearly demonstrated their commitment to recycling, waste reduction and environmental consciousness.
“The Big Sur International and Half Marathons have demonstrated tremendous leadership in the area of recycling and waste reduction and should be commended for their efforts,” says Brennen Jensen, Special Event Recycling Program Coordinator. Together the International Marathon event in April 2007 following Earth Day and the Half Marathon event in November preceding America Recycles Day, worked diligently to lessen their ecological running-shoe-print by reducing litter and recycling over 6,000 pounds of recyclable material, an estimated 17,000 California Redemption Value (CRV) bottles and cans and dozens of bags of film plastic, while diverting several dozen wooden pallets and over 50 bags of clothing to reuse. In addition, BSIM is exploring other avenues of waste reduction including ways to reduce one of their primary trash components: waxed paper cups. And this is just the beginning!
"The Big Sur Marathon is proud to be recognized by Runners World Magazine as one of the three best marathons in the United States. Along with Boston and New York Marathons, Big Sur Marathon is known for its beauty and distinguished outstanding service. I think that it provides a good venue to demonstrate outstanding environmental consciousness through recycling," Dave Dixon, Dave Dixon, Big Sur Half Marathon Board of Directors member. Like a good pair of running shoes, winning the race to waste reduction may be a perfect fit for an event renowned for the natural beauty, scenic coastlines and the pristine vistas of its course. This impressive waste reduction achievement is worthy of recognition.
Big Sur International and Half Marathons have made great strides toward improved recycling and waste reduction helping to achieve the conservation goals of the Monterey Bay Region. In 2008, Ecology Action urges you to be on the recycling bin lookout and do your part to help win the race to reduce waste at special events in your neighborhood!
For more information of special event recycling in the Monterey Bay Area, contact Brennen Jensen or 831-426-5925 x 117.
Program Contact
Anna Hirst
Ecology Action
Phone: 831.426.5925 ext. 120
Fax: 831.425.1404
Email
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