- Pledge of Sustainability
- Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Compost
- Locally sourced supplies
- Shared transportation options
- No water bottles
- Green Team volunteers
Pledge of Sustainability
"Trash the Competition, Not the Planet!"
If you're like us, a big part of the enjoyment of running is getting out into the great outdoors. We want to keep on enjoying our environment, so taking steps to reduce the impact of our event is very important to us — and to you as well, if you're reading this page. The April Fool's Run has already been evolving to reduce its 'footprint' over the past several years, but there's always more that can be done. To put this idea into action we have taken the Athletes for a Fit Planet Pledge of Sustainability. Not only does it reinforce what we've already been doing, but provides a host of valuable resources and tips to go further in our quest for a green event. Check out our pledge for 2012 and the information below for more details.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Compost
Paper reduction
- Nearly all our entries are online — it's less expensive to register online!
- No pre-printed entry forms until race day. If you really need to register with a paper form, you can print one off the website.
- Limited # of rack cards produced — most promotion is done via the internet and email and word of mouth
- Rack cards, race day instructions, maps, etc. will be printed on >20% recycled stock
- Sponsor kits are submitted via email or downloaded from the website
- We communicate to our participants via email only — no mail-outs
- Flyers and brochures are not stuffed into race kits but put out in limited quantities for optional pickup instead. No one wants a bag full of leaflets they're not interested in!
Reuse
- Unclaimed awards and shirts used for other events hosted by Sunshine Coast Athletics
- Race signs and banners are re-used year after year
- Volunteers are encouraged to re-use their volunteer t-shirts each year, and many do
Recycle
- Race kits come in paper envelopes — reusable and recyclable. We relabel and reuse unclaimed kit envelopes from previous years. You can return your envelope to us at packet pickup after retrieving the items within.
- We provide finish line recycling bins to minimize garbage (thanks to Direct Disposal for this service)
- All cardboard boxes are recycled after the event
- We also recycle everything at home when preparing for the race.
- To recycle your timing chip, deposit it in the labelled 'chip return' container provided at the finish area.
Finish Line Food Composting
- In 2011 for the first time we offered composting collection bins at the finish food area and will be doing this again every year. Look for the labelled bins and a volunteer will help you put food waste and recyclables into the right ones. Thanks to Direct Disposal for providing this service to our event.
Locally sourced supplies
- Locally made awards: we are proud to hand out finisher medals and age group/relay awards that are made on the Sunshine Coast by local artisans and awards suppliers
- Local food: wherever possible, finish line food is locally sourced within the Sunshine Coast, the Lower Mainland or BC (burritos, bagels, yogourt)
- Signature race shirts are "Made in Canada" — in Langley, BC
- Any new signs are made in Sechelt (and reused every year)
- Over the years we have purchased our own cones, tables, timing clock and sports drink coolers, and made our own course marker signs and barricades, so no need to travel to Vancouver to rent these any more. They are often rented out to other groups on the Sunshine Coast so they don't have to go off-coast either.
Shared transportation options
- Bus transportation is provided from the ferry and from the finish back to start and ferry, so you can leave the car at home
- Car-pooling and use of public transportation are strongly encouraged (the cost of bringing a car onto the ferry naturally encourages carpooling!)
- New for 2012: PickupPal group for ride sharing
People interested in ride sharing or carpooling to attend the Fools Run are invited to sign up for a PickupPal account and become members of a growing and dynamic community. It is free to join and to use. On the site members can post routes as passengers and/or drivers, they can complete a profile, upload a photo. Within their account, PickupPals can track the number of miles they have traveled via ride sharing and the Fools Run can keep track of the amount of emissions we have all reduced as a result. See it yourself: click here to go to the website.
No water bottles
- Water and sports drink is supplied via coolers/dispensers and recyclable paper cups. Or you can fill your own reusable bottle at the dispensers.
Green Team volunteers
- Volunteer positions include a recycling/composting coordinator and assistants. Click here for info or to sign up to volunteer.