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Feature
THE CAMPAIGN CONTINUES
Since Modern Athlete magazine launched the # runclean campaign in 2015 , the topic of litter , or more specifically , the dropping of used water sachets and cups on the road , has become one of the most prominent talking points in South African running circles . However , there is still much work to be done ! – BY SEAN FALCONER
Go online these days after a road running event and chances are you ’ ll find a whole conversation on Facebook about the litter in that race – either saying that the roads were actually quite clean by normal standards , or that once again there were many runners just tossing their litter without a care , and that something needs to be done about their attitude .
The point is that litter has become one of the most discussed topics in road running , and it is eliciting some very strong reactions from the running community . This is thanks not only to the # runclean campaign , but also the collective anti-litter efforts by various runners , organisers and provincial bodies , which has seen many runners already stop littering as a result of this increased awareness of the scope of the problem … but some continue to just toss their used sachets on or beside the road .
In 2017 , the goal of the campaign is thus to continue educating the running community about cleaning up the sport , by continually reminding runners to think before they throw , because every piece of plastic not dumped on the road is a step in the right direction . This will not only lead to less ugly litter on the roads , but in the long run also to less non-degradable waste ending up in the sensitive environment or the oceans .
Unite to # runclean
Modern Athlete is therefore continuing to call on all runners to join the campaign , and there are some very simple ways for athletes to # runclean :
• Throw all water sachets or cups in a rubbish bin , or carry them until you find a bin . They weigh nothing and will not slow you down !
• Wear running kit with a pocket for used sachets , or make a pocket with your running licence number .
• Carry your own water in a hydration pack or belt , so you don ’ t need to use sachets .
• Promote a no littering rule at all times . If you see fellow runners littering , try to diplomatically suggest a cleaner attitude going forwards .
• Volunteer to help clean up at a water table at a race – after that you are unlikely ever to litter again !
• Share your # runclean experience at www . facebook . com / runclean or mail it to letters @ modernathlete . co . za .
Free Bins to all Runclean Events !
The # runclean campaign also promotes a no littering policy by providing free bins , bin liners and rubbish bags to registered # runclean events , in conjunction with Garbie Bins ( East Rand Plastics ). Since the launch of this element of the # runclean campaign in June 2016 , more than 60 events around the country have received bins , with many runners noticing the increase in bins at races . This resulted in less litter being left on the roads , and is often mentioned in those Facbook conversations about the litter issue .
Running events can easily register to become a # runclean event and request the free bins and bags to be delivered to their event , by using the sign-up link on www . facebook . com / runclean . Organisers need to make sure they sign up three weeks before race day , say how many bins they need , and Garbie will deliver the bins , liners and bags , all free of charge . In exchange , organisers must commit to anti-litter measures at their event , by actively promoting a no littering attitude to entrants , through all possible means . Only by highlighting it will we begin to solve the littering problem .
Why we need to solve this problem …
Litter is a major problem throughout South Africa , with non-degradable plastic strewn all over the natural environment , choking rivers , being consumed by or suffocating animals , and turning the oceans and beaches into a huge rubbish dump . Every time runners dump their plastic sachets in the road , at least some end up in the natural environment , especially if thrown far from the road by runners or when the wind blows , because these cannot all be cleared by the race ’ s clean-up teams , no matter how hard they work .
As a result , some event organisers have already been told by municipal or environmental officials that the runners are no longer welcome to race in those areas , due to their habit of littering , leaving the place looking a mess , and damaging the environment , and other evetns are under immense pressure to clean up their act or face huge fines , perhaps even cancellation . Therefore , it is imperative that athletes stop littering , before it leads to negative consequences for the sport , so think before you throw – # runclean !
Images : Two Oceans , Tobias Ginsberg , Mogamat Shahmieg Allie , Estelle Kock , Des Harris
20 ISSUE 92 MARCH 2017 / www . modernathlete . co . za