How the Income Eco Run is advocating zero-waste conservation

Yahoo Lifestyle Singapore marks Earth Week from 16-22 April with a series of articles about sustainability and environmental protection.

SINGAPORE — Would you take part in a mass run in which you will neither receive a finisher’s medal nor T-shirt, and have to use a single reusable cup for all the drink stations – all in the name of environmental conservation?

This is what runners are encouraged to do at the Income Eco Run at the Formula One Pit Building on Sunday (28 April).

The event aims to encourage everyone to play a part in supporting the cause for zero waste, and has attracted about 9,000 runners of all ages to run in five categories – ranging from the 800m Kids’ Dash to the 21.1km Half Marathon.

While participants are encouraged to “opt-out” of getting finisher medals or T-shirts in four of the run categories, there is a new category – the Zero-Waste 5km Run – in which there is no opting out: these runners will not get those souvenirs, and they will also have to use a reusable cup for their drink replenishments during their run.

94% recycling rate at last year’s run

This is the third year of the Eco Run, and since its inaugural race, it has promoted the zero-waste initiative, encouraging runners not to drive to the runs and bring their own water bottles.

Stella Tan, Income’s deputy vice-president and head (brand activation and events), told Yahoo Lifestyle Singapore. “We did a green audit of our runs to measure how much waste they generated, and we had a 94 per cent recycling rate for last year’s event. We saved about 200kg of metals and 125kg of fabrics through encouraging the runners to opt out of finisher medals and T-shirts.

“But it’s time to up the ante. We want runners to opt in instead of opt out, so this Zero Waste 5km Run is an opportunity for them to really drive home the message of eco-conservation.”

There are about 2,650 runners in all categories who are taking up the zero-waste cause on Sunday’s run, of which about 1,000 of them are participating in the Zero Waste 5km Run.

Popular author Neil Humphreys, an ardent advocate for eco-conservation who has written several children’s books based on the topic, will be running the 5km Run as an ambassador for the event.

“The latest science data shows we have to do more,” he told Yahoo Lifestyle Singapore on why he supports the Eco Run. “Our children won’t even have a choice. Their carbon footprint must be smaller. We still have a choice. We can do whatever we can to raise awareness to reduce waste – and act on it. So I’ll always support zero waste initiatives.”

Solar energy and pre-school kids’ participation

There are other eco-conservation initiatives at the Eco Run. For instance, this will be the mass participation run in Singapore to incorporate solar energy, will help offset up to 60 per cent of energy consumed at the start area.

Rob Khoo, vice-president of marketing communications at Sunseap Group, which provides the solar energy, said, “We want to raise awareness amongst the public that going green doesn’t have to be difficult.

“It is through events such as the Income Eco Run where we can make use of the opportunity to educate the community that It could be as simple as making a conscious switch to solar energy to power their homes and reduce their carbon footprint.”

The run has also partnered with Shaws Preschools Singapore to host a mini-carnival on race day where the pre-school children will showcase projects on caring for the environment, such as repurposed furniture and games using recycled materials.

Race partners are all in

Tan hopes that eventually the zero-waste initiative can be introduced into every run category. More gratifyingly for the organisers is in seeing their race partners and young participants also taking up the eco cause.

“F&N, our official hydration partner, makes special, single-layer plastic cups for the event, which cuts about half the plastic used in making the cup. They are introducing these cups to all their events in Southeast Asia,” Tan said. “Meanwhile, Shaws Preschools Singapore have also incorporated the zero-waste initiative as part of school life for its kids.

“We started off a little apprehensive, you know. Will the public be receptive about conservation? But it has been very encouraging – all the steps taken by the participants will make a difference.”

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