Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 103, February 2018 | Page 29

CLEANING Up Our Act News from the #runclean Campaign Modern Athlete’s #runclean campaign calls on all runners to stop littering during races, because the mess left behind by runners dropping water sachets or cups in the road has become one of the most prominent talking points in South African running circles. Around SA, various people and organisations are contributing to this anti-litter campaign in running. 1. Two Oceans Recycles for School Desks As part of the #GOGREEN Campaign in conjunction with the Wildlands Trust and Old Mutual, the plastic waste collected along the route of the 2017 Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon was converted into school desks, with an initial batch of 45 desks being presented to the Ikhaya le Themba school in Hout Bay, on the race route. It takes 60kg of waste to make a two-seater Green Desk, which means that the manufacture of these 45 desks diverted 2700kg of waste from landfills! 2. Anti-litter Task Group Formed in Cape A large group of runners, event organisers, provincial officials, sponsors and suppliers met at the Sport Science Institute of South Africa in Cape Town to discuss single-use plastic in road running and the resultant litter and waste problems. After a productive day of talking and brainstorming, four main outcomes/goals were identified by the workshop: Improve education about plastic use and litter in the sport, engage with governing bodies to update rules governing littering, research and asses the impact of the sport on the environment, and explore viable alternative hydration options to plastic sachets. Various task group leaders were appointed to drive these four projects, and we will report back on this in due course. 3. Bottle for Medals Limits Litter in Walks Itheko Events has come up with a novel way to reduce litter in its various walking events in the Cape. Entrants are given a full water bottle at the start, with stickers on them that say they need to hand in the empty at the finish to claim a medal. This has proven incredibly effective in just about eradicati ng litter along the route of these events, some of which have up to 5000 entrants! 4. Green Award for Cape Town Marathon The Sanlam Cape Town Marathon has won the 2017 AIMS Green Award, in recognition of the event’s #RunGreen campaign. The award, presented annually by the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS), judges candidates on their promotion of environmentally-friendly practices. The event provided “chuck zones” along the route for the disposal of litter, and a “zero waste to landfill” policy that aimed to recycle all waste, even providing an on-site waste-sorting facility. Almost three tons of recyclable waste was collected, while 1.4 tons of non-recyclable solids were sent to the New Horizon Energy Plant for conversion into renewable energy sources such as biomethane and gas. Think before you throw – #runclean Share your #runclean efforts or experiences at www.facebook.com/runclean or mail to [email protected]. Apply for FREE Bins for Your Event As part of the Modern Athlete #runclean campaign, Garbie (East Rand Plastics) is providing fold-up cardboard bins and plastic bin liners to any running or walking event held in South Africa that registers as a #runclean event. Thse bins and bags are provided and delivered at no charge. To qualify for the free bins, events must put the #runclean and Garbie logos on their entry form and event/club website, and must promote the #runclean message on all their platforms as well as at their event. Events therefore need to apply for bins well in advance, so that requests can be processed in time and the bins delivered. Once an event is registered and approved, Garbie will arrange the delivery of the bins, liners and bags, while Modern Athlete will promote the event through our various platforms. To register your running event as a #runclean race and receive free GARBIE bins, go to http://modernathlete.co.za/bf.php?fid=287 or sign up via the link on www. facebook.com/runclean. GARBIE Supports Runners… So support the company that is helping us to #runclean I n conjunction with Modern Athlete’s #runclean campaign, GARBIE from East Rand Plastics is providing free fold-up cardboard bins and plastic bin liners to races that register as a #runclean event and make an effort to do something about the plastic litter problem in road running. East Rand Plastics is one of Africa’s largest manufacturers of refuse bags, from light duty household to heavy duty garden and industrial bags, and all are manufactured using recycled materials to promote the protection of our delicate environment. GARBIE is the household name for refuse bags and available at all leading retail stores, so support the company that supports runners. 29