| You’ve probably noticed that green is | | | | processing wasteful paper entry forms. |
| everywhere these days--in the news, politics, | | | | 7. If you do need to print materials, use |
| fashion, and technology – and now it can be in | | | | post-consumer recycled paper. |
| your sporting event. | | | | 8. Provide organic and/or natural food and |
| Developing an “environmental impact | | | | beverages. Organic and natural foods have been |
| statement” for your event and branding it as | | | | minimally processed and have no pesticides. It |
| a “Green Event” is not only good for the | | | | may cost a little more, but your attendees will |
| environment but may prove valuable to your | | | | appreciate it. |
| marketing campaign. It may spark an interest in | | | | 9. After your participants are finished noshing on |
| athletes who are looking for something different | | | | their natural and organic treats, offer a place for |
| and are interested in how they can help the | | | | composting. |
| environment in all parts of their lives. | | | | 10. Make it easy to carpool. Provide an email |
| Try some of the ideas below to “Go | | | | address, phone number, or web address that |
| Green” at your next event: | | | | athletes can contact to find people with whom |
| 1. Ban plastic water bottles. We’ve all seen | | | | they can share a ride. |
| garbage bins overflowing with empty plastic water | | | | 11. If your event is a race, use pace bikes instead |
| bottles. Instead of selling or giving away bottled | | | | of cars. Or, use a hybrid lead vehicle. Use a |
| water, provide plenty of large water dispensers | | | | biodiesel shuttle bus if you will be transporting |
| with biodegradable paper cups. (Don’t forget | | | | athletes. |
| to have markers available so people can mark | | | | 12. Use biodegradable banners/signage and serving |
| their cups!) Or, encourage attendees to bring their | | | | ware. Imagine folks in a junk yard in the year |
| own reusable water bottles. | | | | 2040, pulling your fully-intact non-biodegradable |
| 2. Have on-site recycling bins. Make sure those | | | | “2009 Marathon” banner from the rubble. |
| paper cups end up in recycling bins. | | | | Not a nice thought. Research printing companies |
| 3. Make green/environmental education a part of | | | | that will make your signage on biodegradable |
| your event. For example, have announcements | | | | materials so the banner isn’t around longer |
| over the loudspeaker or a booth explaining how | | | | than we are. |
| athletes can reduce their carbon footprint. | | | | 13. Offer a prize to the “greenest” athlete. |
| 4. Print event T-shirts on organic cotton. | | | | The criteria could be someone who took |
| 5. Have a used equipment and shoe drive. In your | | | | “green” transportation to get to the |
| marketing materials, ask attendees to bring old | | | | event, is wearing or using green/sustainable gear, |
| athletic shoes, clothing, and equipment to the | | | | registered online, recycled etc. The prize could be |
| event. Donate clothes and equipment to a charity | | | | planting a tree in the name of that |
| and shoes to an organisation that recycles | | | | “green” athlete or purchasing a renewable |
| footwear. | | | | energy credit from a green energy company. Be |
| 6. Use less paper. Paper registration requires the | | | | creative! |
| entrant to download the form and print it or pick | | | | The truth is that every single thing we do every |
| up a copy from the event office, fill it out, write a | | | | day has an impact on the planet -- good or bad. |
| cheque, and then either pay postage to mail it | | | | Even small changes can make a difference and |
| back or get in their car to drop it off. Using online | | | | raise awareness in the importance of protecting |
| registration software to register attendees online | | | | the environment. By incorporating a |
| makes life easier for you, since attendees can | | | | ”green” theme into your next race, |
| pay the entry fee electronically by debit or credit | | | | match, game, or tournament, you can provide |
| card, and they receive an email confirmation | | | | something different to your players while raising |
| immediately letting them know they are | | | | awareness in helping the planet. |
| registered. You don’t have to spend time | | | | |