1. Make events carbon neutral until they become climate neutral (0 emissions), avoid and reduce caused pollution:
Reduce the mobility of organizers, spectators, and assistants and ensure that a large part of those trips are made with eco-friendly transportation.
Hire local teams for filming and photography.
Request e-cargo vehicles and e-bikes for transport and logistics.
For filming, use runners and/or e-bikes instead of ATVs.
No light panels, tents, and other electronic equipment that consumes electricity.
Create a carbon footprint calculator for traveling to the event.
Arrange collective - bus transport for volunteers, participants, and supporters (if diesel, it should be EURO6)
Reward with a bonus, gift those runners who come to the start by bicycle, train, bus, carpooling... promote on social media
Determine and limit where and how many parking spaces will be available at the start-finish
2. Reduce waste by at least 50% from the current amount and sort the garbage.
Make an inventory of equipment and markings
Gift silicone cups for multiple use
Avoid food and drinks in single-use packaging - use items in bulk packages and water in 20L containers and juices in cans
Reduce single-use plastic and reduce paper products, cups, and napkins/wipes.
Donate leftover food to the Red Cross.
Use durable marking flags, preferably from durable or biodegradable material. Make sure the flags are well anchored so they don't fly away.
Limit advertising banners only at start and finish
Avoid permanent marking with sprays, and if necessary then use short-term - organic and non-toxic.
Within 48 hours after the event, remove all markings and materials.
Instead of giving t-shirts and similar gifts, plant trees.
Starter package in paper bags or without a bag at all.
Recycle uncollected bib numbers.
Request specific containers for sorting waste from municipal waste.
Don't pack gifts (t-shirts for example) in single-use bags/plastic.
Protect water. Optimize consumption and don't use chemical products that pollute, especially portable toilets.
Bins for garbage selection and sorting at each checkpoint
Waste disposal at recycling center:
Plastic and styrofoam: Black bag
Paper and cardboard: Blue bag
Batteries, cans, aluminum, aluminum packaging: Yellow bag
Food: Donate to Red Cross or in composter: Green bag
Glass: in cardboard box.
3. Use 100% eco-friendly materials in communication and 50% local products for events.
No printed materials (bibs in envelopes should not be given) or reduced to a minimum
Research whether to use reusable chip-bracelets
T-shirts and similar gifts from recycled cotton-polyester
Enable cheaper participation price in exchange for not receiving a t-shirt, medal, and similar for ecological reasons
Trophies and gifts from local artists-craftsmen
Food and catering from local suppliers and locally organic origin at checkpoints
Have vegetarian/vegan option
Design an eco-friendly badge system
4. Analyze erosion and impact on wildlife to determine the race route, the best period-date for holding the event, the number of participants and supporters, as well as pre- and post-event activities aimed at preserving the natural value and ecological integrity of the environment.
Ban on using trekking poles in sensitive zones.
Degradation of forest roads from jeeps and ATVs.
Noise from people and vehicles, light from headlamps, and strong odor.
Quiet music and fewer cowbells at checkpoints (only small Bluetooth speakers).
Think about birds and their nests, mammals and their habitats and usual movement routes, as well as plant life.
5. Ask runners to engage in nature protection work and/or trail conservation as a prerequisite for participation or discount on entry fee.
Invite runners, sponsors, partners to sign an ecology statement - from partners-sponsors learn about their ecological strategy and activity.
Promote more sustainable, inclusive, and cross-sectoral sport, through campaigns and activities (before- after- during the event) that promote environmentally friendly activities.
Prefer sponsors who are committed to the environment.
On website and social media invite other organizations to join
Organize Plogging, ecological actions for cleaning illegal dumps. Afforestation. As well as trail revitalization work to prevent erosion and similar.
Create a place where participants will donate or recycle their equipment.
Invite the public to participate in events for eco purposes.
