Under the garb of green

It’s not only two wheelers and four wheelers that hit the streets. Many a time, one sees people running too. Marathons, cyclathons and triathlons, especially ones that support the environment, have become a fast-growing fashion statement in many ‘smart’ cities and runners participate in such events for a variety of reasons — either to practise their running, make a fashion statement or support the marathon’s cause. 

However, the harsh truth is that most runs and marathons are not environmentally conscious, though they often scream of ‘preserving the planet’. They cease from being an active catalyst for change and often boil down to well-planned, short-lived and over-hyped awareness campaigns. The irony strikes hard as there is excessive waste generated collectively during ‘green’ runs – the majority being plastic bottles and paper cups.

Sindu Naik, a member of ‘Rejuvenate India Movement’, says that dry waste, which includes glucose packets, bread packets, forks, spoons, napkins, cartons and wet waste, which has peels and leftovers, are seen in bulk after marathons. She adds, “Dry waste is also generated in the form of banners, signposts, stickers and food coupons. Many marathons tie-up with various clubs which promote running and have lounges where they provide food in Styrofoam cups and plates that are disposables.”

Water, a precious non-renewable resource, is wasted to heights as well. Arvind Bharathi, one of the members of ‘Runners For Life’ (RFL), says that multiple marathons provide different bottles of water — 250 ml, 500 ml or one litre. 

He adds, “Runners waste the bottle and water when they use the 500 ml bottle. They should actually take sips rather than gulping down gallons but first time organisers and runners aren’t aware of these facts.” The runs that RFL conducts provide sachets in the form of powder for energy drinks and 150 ml paper cups, which runners retain and reuse throughout the race. He adds, “Paper cups are not the best possible option here but we have found nothing completely biodegradable in the market yet. We don’t use tetra packs nor allow sponsors who want to provide energy drinks in tetra packs.”

Salwat Hamra, an entrepreneur and active participant in triathlons, feels that many runners don’t want to waste time by re-filling water at stations and hence prefer to use ‘use-and-throw’ plastic bottles. “However, they should be informed to retain the bottle throughout the run and not dispose it hap-hazardly.”

Apart from wastage, segregation is another rule which most marathons fail to enforce. Runners don’t wait to throw trash in separate dustbins because they feel that it’s time consuming. The waste is often led to a dumpster.

But every run has a way out. There are a number of alternatives, just like how Sindu points out from up her sleeve. She adds, “Runners throw paper cups on the road which are soiled when people stamp on them and they end up having no market value.  So there are volunteers who pick them up once they are thrown so that they can be reused. One should use re-usable and recyclable materials such as jute and polyester for T-shirts.”

In terms of cyclathons, Hari, a professional, brings out an interesting perspective and says that it takes more effort than wearing green T-shirts and badges to save the planet.

“People drive to the venue and then cycle, which makes the entire purpose of the cyclathon ridiculous. It’s like how governments drive for miles in supercars to discuss climate change. One has to look at how to make a difference before and after the event as well. Cycling and car pooling is a good option as it leads to less wastage of gasoline and pollution. Some marathons are completely promotional events and it is okay if they make it clear from the start but to go under the guise of a ‘green’ event is to only fool themselves and the public.”

Arvind says that as this is a universal problem, race organisers have to come out and take a strong decision. And Sindhu ends on a hopeful note, “People are becoming more aware now. Last year for the ‘Bengaluru Marathon’, green stations were installed where hot food in steel plates and cups rather than cartons was provided. The marathon saw 5,000 people but less than 5 kg of waste was generated. The only dry waste that was generated was napkins. Sponsors have now begun to employ groups and staff who have to take away the waste as there is a penalty issued on them if the waste isn’t cleared.”
 
A shift in the pattern of consumption, unplanned waste solutions, a change in lifestyle because of living in a culture of ‘excesses’ and a lack of resource efficiency has led to sheer callousness and complacency. One must really ponder on questions such as what one is running for and how such runs can bring about change. And in the long run, one has to think about the big race that people are running to — towards saving the planet.