What a marathon effort - for sport, the economy and the environment!
The Manchester Half Marathon, which took place over the weekend, was again a massive success and attracted an estimated 28,000 runners from across the UK and the rest of the world.
The 13.1 mile race is famous for its sporting excellence but it is also a superb example of how to make a huge sporting event green-friendly and sustainable. It also attracted huge investment into the Trafford and Greater Manchester economy.
During the race on Sunday 12 October, staff from the One Trafford Partnership (OTP) collected approximately ten tonnes worth of plastic water bottles from the racegoers who took part in the popular event.
Now colleagues from OTP, a collaboration between Trafford Council and Amey, will be recycling the bottles, along with thousands of gel packets, at recycling centres across the borough. Items of clothing left behind by runners were also donated to local charities.
This year, organisers of the race increased the number of water stations on route to make it easier for runners to dispose of their bottles and packets along the way. Each water station was equipped with four Euro bins marked with targets to encourage runners to dispose of their bottles properly. Additionally, four operatives were assigned to each water station to litter-pick bottles and gel packs for recycling.
Organisers are committed to making the race as sustainable as possible and work with relevant stakeholders and councils to ensure as much waste as possible is recycled.
A spokesperson for the One Trafford Partnership said:
“The Half Marathon is a huge event and we are delighted it takes place within large sections of the borough of Trafford, starting at White City and finishing at Talbot Road, between the Town Hall and the Cricket Ground. Recycling is of extreme importance to the One Trafford Partnership so it is vital that we made this race as sustainable as possible.
“Our teams were out all day on Sunday collecting bottles and gel packets for our recycling centres – and we are hoping to beat our recycling record this year!”
A spokesperson for the Half Marathon said:
“We are constantly striving to improve the sustainability of the Manchester Half, continuing to work closely with stakeholders and councils in Greater Manchester, along with all our suppliers, to reduce the impact on the environment. Our overall approach every year is to reduce, re-use and recycle wherever possible."