For every mile our runners cover, we enhance.
From waste sorting and diversion and pollution prevention to picking up everything that was on the ground before runners ever passed it by, we always aim to leave the course better than we found it. Our partnerships, including our work with 11th Hour Racing, have allowed us to increase our sustainability implementation.
The numbers are in! At Rhode Races, we treat every day like Earth Day and are always looking to lessen our Carbon Footprint.
The Impact Report
Our sustainability efforts start with gel buckets at every mile. They continue with reusable on-course water cups provided by HICCUP and the use of Open Water canned water at the finish line to eliminate landfill found cups and bottles. At each race, we have a dedicated Green Team to collect waste. Thanks to Epic Renewal, we have clear data on our progress:
- Newport Rhode Races: We diverted 332.1 lbs of organics from landfills, saving 237 net pounds of CO2 emissions.
- Providence Rhode Races: We diverted 110 lbs of organics from landfills, saving 79 net pounds of CO2 emissions.
The Start Line Sweep: Our Green Team collects clothing tossed at the start as soon as the race begins. These items are brought back to the Epic Renewal station to be sorted. Runners can collect their discarded layers after they finish; any clothing left behind is professionally washed and donated to those in need.
Any recoverable food, primarily bananas, is donated to Amos House and Crossroads RI.
Cleaning Beyond the Race
After the race, we aren’t done yet. We partner with local nonprofits to help leave the course even cleaner than we found it with plogging: jogging or walking while picking up trash. We have been plogging the course after select races for over 5 years now. Often finding more “pre-race trash” such as alcohol bottles and food wrappers than “race trash,” we aim to cover every mile run with a volunteer plogger.
- Newport: In partnership with the Eastern RI Conservation District, 30 ploggers covered 26.2+ miles and collected 187.5 lbs of waste.
- Providence: In partnership with the Northern RI Conservation District, 8 ploggers covered 23 miles, filling 8 bags of trash (approximately 40 lbs).
Join Our Next Event
Our next post-race plog will be after the Independence Road Race!
- When: June 27
- Where: Independence Park
- Partner: Eastern RI Conservation District
Sign up to help here!
How Else You Can Help
Looking at what did go to the landfill after Epic Renewal sorting (soiled paper, coffee cups, and space blankets), we know specific areas to target for improvements. It was also observed by Rhode Race Crew and ploggers that there were more littered gels than ever this year. You can help by following these steps:
- Pack out your gels: Keep empty gel packets in a pocket or reusable bag until you reach a proper trash receptacle.
- Refuse the straw: Straws are a major source of contamination in the sorting process.
- Bring a reusable coffee cup when spectating the race.
- Remember: If you need to shed a layer, do it at the start line so our Green Team can rescue it!
- Sign up to “plog” after a future race!
