Green Initiatives
As the Philadelphia Marathon continues to grow in size to 30,000 competitors, 60,000 spectators, and 3,000 volunteers, we plan to also increase our sustainability efforts. In recent years, we have implemented several changes in order to meet our ultimate goal of maintaining Certification from the Council for Responsible Sport. Our efforts must start with you! We hope you will join us in recycling cardboard, plastic, clothing and other items throughout the race weekend.
It takes a great deal of hard work and planning to produce a sustainable event, but the Marathon is committed to setting an example for the surrounding community and other races when it comes to environmental responsibility. We are making a concerted effort to reduce the event's carbon footprint and continue to make environmental strides by implementing green initiatives that reduce waste, reuse resources and recycle materials. Green, lean and clean is our mindset.
Here's what YOU can do to help:
Walk or take SEPTA to get around the city
Ask your hotel to not change your sheets and towels with each cleaning service
Make use of our BigBelly solar-powered trash cans while exploring Center City Philadelphia
Visit local businesses-local production leaves less of a carbon footprint
Recycle cardboard and plastics on the course
Throw your cups and food waste in compost bins set up along the route
Recycle your heat sheet at the Comcast Sustainability Tent located in Vendor Village near the finish line
Some of the earth-saving steps we are taking behind the scenes:
Using e-cards instead of paper for discount offers
Reducing paper size of informational handouts by 50 percent
Using 100% recycled paper and eco-friendly inks in Race Weekend materials
Encouraging runners to register online
Offering information on our website encouraging participants to travel around Philadelphia by public transportation
Here's what we do on the course to be a more sustainable event:
Recycling cardboard and plastics on the race course
Eliminating the use of Styrofoam throughout the event
Setting up waste stations at the start/finish line and providing "Waste Watcher" volunteers to help with sorting waste for composting and recycling
Composting at least 300,000 cups along the route
Using formaldehyde-free, non-toxic alternative to traditional chemicals in portable toilets onsite
Stocking all portable toilets with recycled toilet paper
Recycling excess runners' medals
Recycling discarded salvageable runners' clothes at race day starting line, filling more than 200 55-gallon bags
Recycling excess runners' bags-items are sorted, then recycled or donated to local running clubs, school groups, and charity organizations
Donating excess food products such as water and/or runners' snacks to local shelters, charitable organizations, recreation programs, school groups and other competitive race organizations
Monitoring course and emergency functions primarily through the use of bicycles, scooter units, and ATV's, minimizing the carbon footprint as compared to fuel-guzzling vehicles and ambulances
Even our Health & Fitness Expo is "going green":
Participating in a used sneaker recycling project with the MORE Foundation, a Philadelphia Marathon charitable partner, to assist with job-creating community outreach efforts in Ghana, Africa
The Pennsylvania Convention Center, which hosts the Expo, performs single stream recycling to divert waste from landfills
The recent expansion of the Pennsylvania Convention Center achieved LEED® certification in 2011
Volunteer as a Waste Watcher:
The Philadelphia Marathon is partnering with the Mayor's Office of Sustainability, and the Mayor's Office of Civic Engagement and Volunteer Service to create a team of volunteers who help educate race attendees about recycling and compost while also helping the Marathon reach an ambitious goal of achieving "zero waste." At the race Start/Finish, water stops, and spectator areas, Waste Watcher volunteers will help event goers sort their trash, recycling, and compost into the right containers. You will also receive a free sweatshirt! In 2015 Waste Watchers helped the Marathon reach 90 percent waste diversion, a new record and the widely-accepted definition of “zero waste.”
HELP US ACHIEVE OVER 90% DIVERSION FROM LANDFILLS THIS YEAR!
