Waste
WHAT WE ALREADY DO
All participants and crew are required to use their own reusable cups, plates, and utensils at all of our events.
Donate surplus food to a local charity supporting homeless people in Kendal.
Work with Trees not Tees we offer participants the opportunity to have a tree planted instead of receiving an event t-shirt when they enter an event.
At various events, where we use substantial amounts of waymarking and signage, this is removed immediately after the last runner has passed and the entire course is swept for litter.
Provide clear signage and easy to use recycling centres and facilities at all our events.
Discourage and minimise the use of disposable items and production of waste.
Encourage a philosophy of reuse, upcycling and repair throughout the business and at events. Manage waste according to the Waste Hierarchy - avoiding waste, prioritising reuse, increasing recycling.
Ban the sale and/or promotional give-away of single use plastic items, including plastic bags immediately.
Implement a ‘Bring Your Own Mug’ (#BYOM) policy at all our events for participants and crew that would like a hot drink.
Introduce a cupless system for bar beverages across all our events.
Discourage the use of disposable hazard tape, gaffer tape, and other event production materials. We have used reusable cable-ties since 2021.
Minimise printing by shifting pre-event information for both participants and event staff online.
Provide free drinking water stations for all participants.
WHAT WE ARE PLEDGING TO DO
Engage with waste contractors to understand exactly how our waste is managed. We currently work with seven different waste contractors across the UK.
Ensure that all contractors and exhibitors at our events agree to and abide by our sustainability and waste management policies.
Review waste data from our carbon accounts to inform a specific waste management plan.
Above: The inevitable waste generated after an event
We are pledging to reduce our waste by at least 50% whilst also aiming for a 50% recycling rate. Our ultimate goal is to reduce the waste we create to the smallest amount practical.
We will need to work closely with our waste contractors to fully understand their processes and to understand exactly how our waste is processed. We work with seven contractors across the UK therefore we will target the contractors who work on the events that create the most waste. In 2024, the Dragons Back Race created the highest emissions compared to our other events.
Did you know?
This area of focus is part of our progression towards goal 4 of the Outdoor Friendly Pledge