The Business Exchange Bath & Somerset Issue 15: Spring 2020 | Page 41

Bath Half - increasingly conscious of its environmental footprint At the start of 2019, Running High, organisers of the Bath Half, set out its stall to eliminate single use plastic bottle drinks from the event by 2021. Work began pretty much immediately, with last years’ event introducing water refill points in the Runners Village and on course at water stations. Runners were encouraged to bring their own refillable water bottles and as a trial, plastic bottles were replaced with compostable cups at the last of the three water points on the route. Results were monitored and combined with a post event survey. Discussing the feedback, Race Director, Andrew Taylor, said, “The results showed a big shift in runners’ behaviour, very supportive of a move away from plastic bottles. • 37% of respondents brought their own bottles to the race • 46% of respondents tried the compostable cups at the third water station • 78% of those who tried the compostable cups said they were excellent or good. “We were really pleased with the feedback. Some runners urged us to get rid of plastic bottles straight away and many commented that a bottle was unnecessary, with runners typically only taking a few sips of water anyway.” Fast forward some twelve months and Running High have unveiled an exciting new partnership with Wessex Water. This year Wessex Water will be supplying fresh tap water to the Bath Half for the first time, both at their HydroZone in the Runners Village and at every drinks station on the course. This is the first such partnership between a water company and a road race in the UK. It’s been quite a change for the event team, with a different offer for runners. Andrew Taylor, added,“Through Wessex Water’s HydroZones, runners will be able to fill up their own reusable water bottle or drink from compostable cups. Our partnership with Wessex Water will remove 50,000 plastic bottles from our event. It’s about making the change necessary, but also communicating to our runners what we are doing and why. “We have had a serious commitment to reducing waste at the Bath Half for many years, working closely with our waste management contractor MJ Church to achieve high levels of recycling. We achieved zero waste to landfill in 2019. We are developing a formal sustainability strategy for the event with an annual report against published targets in all areas of our supply chain. Our sponsors, Bishop Fleming, HIGH5 and The Bath College, as well as our charity partners, are all doing their bit to aid our environmental footprint this year. It’s about working together with our runners, partners and suppliers to achieve the outcome that we’re all so keen to see.” This year’s Bath Half takes place on Sunday 15th March 2020. For more information about the Bath Half, visit: www.bathhalf.co.uk For more information about the Wessex Water partnership go to: www.wessexwater.co.uk INSPIRING TOAST TALKS AT HEYWOOD HOUSE Take a ride out to the countryside and attend one of Heywood House’s ‘Toast Talks’. @HouseHeywood Heywood House is a classic country estate in the village of Heywood, near Westbury. The estate has recently been transformed into a high-tech office space with a range of services and facilities designed to help business flourish. It provides dedicated offices to rent, co-working, hot desking, meeting rooms and outdoor space. New for 2020, Heywood House has introduced a business breakfast schedule, created to showcase the estate and deliver inspiring, entertaining and knowledgeable talks from members of the local business community. Attendees can connect over a fascinating talk, fresh coffee and a delicious breakfast with other like-minded people, whilst generating new ideas and opportunities, leaving them feeling inspired. Here are some of the events planned over the coming months: • Thursday 26th March, 8:00-9am - Is this as good as it gets? Louise Ladbrooke offers sage advice as to how to get through and break out of the perceived shackles of modern-day life. • Thursday 20th April, 8:00-9am – Building Billion Dollar Businesses . Glen Senk has been a creative force at some of the world’s leading retail brands including high street names Anthropologie and Urban Outfitters. Glen talks about his career and will share his unrivalled knowledge of how to grow a brand. Toast Talk tickets can be booked via the Heywood House website. Visit: www.heywoodhouse.com/events- calendar/ To find out more about Heywood House email: [email protected] or call: 01373 486800 Louise Ladbrooke Glen Senk THE BUSINESS EXCHANGE 2020 41