Greening the B2B

Each year the TD Bank Beach to Beacon 10K expands its environmental practices thanks to its green corporate sponsor, Fairchild Semiconductor, and green consulting partner, Athletes for a Fit Planet. Together, they are building on the race’s long-standing commitment to environmental responsibility.

 Athletes for a Fit Planet
Click here to learn more about Athletes for a Fit Planet

Recycling and composting from start to finish
This year’s TD Bank Beach to Beacon 10K will have Green Team members at the start, on the course at the water stations, and at the finish festival. The Green Team’s job is to make sure the race diverts as much waste from landfill as humanly possible. This includes the recycling of all plastic, cardboard, paper, glass, and metal, as well as the composting of all food waste and the thousands of wax-coated paper cups used on the course. Last year, TD Bank Beach to Beacon 10K recycled or composted 46% of all waste produced and this year we are aiming for at least 60% waste diversion.
 

Collecting redeemable plastic bottles
In addition to recycling and composting, TD Bank Beach to Beacon 10K collects the empty single-use disposable plastic bottles provided to runners at the finish and donates the money to charity. In 2009, Green Team volunteers collected 8,278 plastic water bottles. In 2010, we hope to collect 10,000.
  Eco-friendly starting line 
The paint used for the starting line of this years’ TD Bank Beach to Beach 10K is being provided by Pioneer Athletics and is free of volatile organic compounds.  It’s the first and only turf paint to receive recognition from the Environmental Protection Agency.    
 

Eco-friendly portable toilets
All the portable toilets for the race will be using non-toxic, earth-friendly chemicals and recycled paper to ensure minimal impact on the environment. Typically, the chemicals used in the toilet tank contain harsh, often toxic chemicals.
  No more paper registration
For several years now, TD Bank Beach to Beacon 10K has registered 100% of all runners online, thus saving paper and printing.  In addition, the majority of the race’s communications are conducted by e-mail and through the website.

How You Can Help...
ReUSE A SHOE Nike Reuse-a-Shoe program
Shoe recycling with Nike Reuse-a-Shoe Program. The TD Bank Beach to Beacon 10K is encouraging runners to bring their old running shoes to the Expo at registration to drop them in the Nike Reuse-a-Shoe box. This program keeps shoes out of landfills (they take hundreds of years to break down) and provides a second life for the materials in the shoes in such things as playgrounds, basketball courts and tracks. It’s all part of Nike’s Considered Design Philosophy. FMI, go to http://www.nikereuseashoe.com/press-room


Ride Share to the Race
A race the size of the TD Bank Beach to Beacon 10K will typically generate 80 tons of CO2 just from athlete, staff and volunteer travel. If athletes are flying to the race, the carbon footprint can be much higher.

In an effort to reduce our carbon footprint, race officials are encouraging all runners, spectators, and family members to share a ride to the race. Ridesharing provides the opportunity to significantly reduce the race’s carbon footprint.
  Recycle your bib
If you don’t want to keep your bib as a memento of the race then look for the bib recycling bins near the food tent at the finish line. The bibs are made from Tyvek, which is a plastic, and can be recycled.

 

TD BANK BEACH TO BEACON 10K ROAD RACE
Cape Elizabeth, Maine

August 6th, 2011