Run Green
As a runner, you know the importance of every step you take to achieve your goals and get to the finish line. These are the Steps we are taking to make the Green 6.2 the most environmentally friendly and lowest impact event in Houston. Please help us in our efforts to make a net positive effect on our environment this Earth Week.
REDUCE REUSE RECYCLE
Steps During the Event
- We are a BYOB event! Bring Your Own Bottle for water. Sources estimate that 90% of bottled water containers end up in landfills. There will be absolutely no water bottles provided during the event. We will be providing clean water to fill and refill your water bottle.
- On-course water will be provided in 100% compostable corn clear water cups along with containers for used cups to be composted after the event.
- Participant SWAG bags will be made from recycled materials and are reusable as grocery totes.
- Participant t-shirts will be made from 100% certified organic cotton.
- Plant a Tree for Houston! Our post-race festival will include the opportunity for all participants to plant a tree. We will provide the seedlings, composted coffee grounds from Starbucks, containers and assistance from a Houston arborist.
- Recycling station for used computers and electronics. We have teamed up with a Houston company to provide several convenient on-site drop off stations for you to bring your old equipment which will be recycled in an environmentally friendly method.
- Build a house! With the assistance from a local homebuilder, all participants will be able to build an earth-friendly birdhouse from renewable materials.
Steps After the Event
- The Green 6.2 benefits the Houston Parks Board. Our goal for this event is to raise enough money to construct a running trail in one of Houston’s neighborhood pocket parks. With your help, we will be able to provide a way to help runners enjoy the environment for years to come.
- We’ll be loading up our recycling and composting bins and making sure that we end up with the lowest possible impact for our event.
- We’ll be accountable. As a runner, you understand the need for an accountability partner. We will provide post-event details about the impact of our event along with results of our success. We’ll post these on the website, on Facebook and in the media. Our hope is that we can set a Houston standard for event accountability so that every run, race and ride is accountable to our community.
During Training
- Trash Runs. During your training, designate at least one “easy run” as Trash Run day. Take a plastic bag and a pair of gloves with you on your usual route and pick up plastic bottles and aluminum cans along the way. If you belong to a running club, suggest the club designate the occasional Saturday or Sunday group run as ‘Beautification Day.’
- Carpool to workouts and races. Every mile you drive produces about 1 pound of CO2. Instead of driving to a group training run, call a friend or running club member and arrange to rideshare. Same goes for travel to the race.
- Fueling on the run. Instead of using single-serve energy gel packets on your runs, consider buying in bulk and using a belt system. If you must use single-serve packets, put the used packets in a pocket and dispose of them at home.
What’s Your Carbon Footprint?
Take this interactive test to learn that your current impact on the environment is, and what you can do to minimize it. Also, check out the Energy Quiz and Energy Facts to test your knowledge on energy use!
Other carbon footprint tests: