ENVIRONMENT
No Excuse for Single-Use !
With more and more plastic waste filling landfill sites or ending up in the oceans , it is vital that we all do our part to reduce the amount of waste being produced , and the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series asks all runners to join us in this effort .
Plastic is an incredible invention that has revolutionised the world in many ways , but all too often it is used just once , for a few minutes at most , and then thrown away , and this single-use plastic ( SUP ) waste is often not recyclable . We humans produce roughly 300 million tons of plastic each year , and half of it is disposable SUP , but worldwide , only about 10 % of plastic items are recycled each year . The rest ends up in landfills sites , in the environment , in our rivers and in our oceans , clogging and poisoning entire eco-systems .
Running events have traditionally produced a lot of SUP waste , such as water sachets along the route and plastic bags or wrapping at registration . That is why the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series aims to reduce its SUP usage by 95 % across the five events in the series . The ongoing “ No Excuse for Single-Use ” campaign in 2024 builds on the anti-SUP campaign in the series in previous years , and we call on all participants in the Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K to join us in this effort .
“ As part of the # RunClean campaign , the race will implement strict ‘ litter zones ’ to ensure a litter-free route , and in line with the # ICarryMyOwn campaign , we encourage runners to run with a hydration pack or water bottle , and to refill at the refreshment zones . Also , the two refreshment stations on the route will be 98 % plastic-free , and there will also be no plastic bags or wrapping at registration , while race numbers will be made from recycled plastic bottles ,” says Michael Meyer , founder of the series . “ Our ultimate goal is to host a mass participation road running series that is plastic-free and highlights the splendour of each host city , while celebrating its people , their talent and the amazing sport of running .”
If everybody works together , we can make a difference in the war on plastic waste !
Image : Jaco Wolmarans
Single-Use Plastic Management
NO EXCUSE FOR
S NGLE-USE
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Absa RYC Series City Clean Ups
Taking responsibility and encouraging participants to make a change , while educating our population on the importance of litter free cities and beaches .
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Plastic Free Touchpoints
• Goodie bags
• Race packs
• Official event tees
• Medals
• 176 000 less plastic packets !
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Biodegradable Race Numbers
Race Numbers are made from recycled plastic bottles and are biodegradable .
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Run # ICarryMyOwn
Cut down on waste by carrying your own water bottle .
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Refillable Hydration Stations
2 self-serve water refill stations on route to ensure you stay hydrated .
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Litter Zones # RunClean
Designated litter bins to keep routes litter free .
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• No plastic sachets .
• Only paper drinking cups available on route .
sachetx
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Recycle Your Litter
Recycling waste bins are strategically positioned around the race start and
26 Run Your City finish Series villages .
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Used paper cups , cans and plastic bottles are recycled after the event . |
Paperless Entry Process
Online registrations E-confirmations SMS communication E-substitutions E-mailers E-certificates
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# RunClean # ICarryMyOwn |