Plastic waste at Irish running events

Tombo2001 · 31-05-2018 10:37am #1

Feature on the Radio about plastic waste in Ireland being so much higher than other parts of Europe. A large part of this is due to our frequent use of plastic bottles.

I've often noted events like Dublin City Marathon, the Womens Mini Marathon, Great Ireland Run.....and many others......the vast quantity of bottles thrown on the ground at the end of a race. Thousands of them.

I know for a marathon people need water along the way.

But do they really need it for a 10k or less? Because the amount of plastic used at these races is off the charts.

Any thoughts?

theyoungchap · 31-05-2018 10:53am

What do you propose as an alternative? No water throughout a 10k would be unfair, there are plenty of people who need water on a 10k. 5k maybe not so much.
Single-use plastic cups should be banned and all bottles should have a deposit. It would solve this problem over night.

average_runner · 31-05-2018 11:30am

theyoungchap wrote: »

What do you propose as an alternative? No water throughout a 10k would be unfair, there are plenty of people who need water on a 10k. 5k maybe not so much.
Single-use plastic cups should be banned and all bottles should have a deposit. It would solve this problem over night.

If you need water for 10k maybe we should have to carry our own water.

theyoungchap · 31-05-2018 11:32am

Maybe. I would have no problem running a 10k with no water, but I am sure there are plenty who would.

average_runner · 31-05-2018 11:34am

theyoungchap wrote: »

Maybe. I would have no problem running a 10k with no water, but I am sure there are plenty who would.

People carry their own water for the marathon, so can't see any reason why they can't do it for 10k.

Personally I don't drink water till after 10 miles!

Grassey · 31-05-2018 11:41am

Glass bottles are the only solution for the marathon. Can be safely thrown into cycles lanes once used.

Slow_Runner · 31-05-2018 1:26pm

IAAF rules stipulate you must provide water for 10km+. How they distribute it is up to the organizers. There is definitely scope to engineer a environmentally friendly solution - biodegradable bottles/cups?

RULE 240 - IAAF COMPETITION RULES 2008
Road Races Drinking/Sponging and Refreshment Stations
8. (a) Water and other suitable refreshments shall be available at the start and finish of all races.
(b) For all events up to and including 10km, drinking/sponging shall be provided at suitable intervals of approximately 2-3km if weather conditions warrant such provision.
(c) For all events longer than 10km, refreshment stations shall be provided at approximately every 5km. In addition, drinking/sponging stations for water only shall be placed approximately midway between the refreshment stations or more frequently if weather conditions warrant such provision.

Chivito550 · 31-05-2018 1:35pm

Surely the organizers of these races ensure that all plastic bottles get picked up and put into a recycle bin, and not into general waste?

Slow_Runner · 31-05-2018 1:43pm

Chivito550 wrote: »

Surely the organizers of these races ensure that all plastic bottles get picked up and put into a recycle bin, and not into general waste?

I'd say up to a point they do but a lot of the time the bins are contaminated with non-recyclable material-gel wrappers/clothing/wipes - as well as bottles.
Main issue I see at races is a$$holes throwing their bottles into ditches and fields where the organizers can't collect them, should be a DQ act if caught imo.

thomas anderson. · 31-05-2018 1:48pm

Did a 15 miler recently and they had big skip bags a few hundred meters from the water stations.

Seemed to capture most of the empty bottles

Djoucer · 31-05-2018 1:57pm

Huge energy cost to recycling and needs additional raw materials.

We really should be working towards not making the bottles in first place.

Attitudes are changing and this will only become a bigger issue. I'd say in a few heads, it'll be unacceptable for races to dump tens of
Thousands of plastic bottles in the name of convenience to runners.

theyoungchap · 31-05-2018 2:06pm

Surely there is some sort of biodegradable cups etc they could use?
The attitude to plastic is changing fast....I even hate the water cooler in work having single-use glasses, and I would not consider myself an eco-warrior. I think I am just becoming more conscious of it.

cruizer101 · 31-05-2018 2:15pm

IAAF should update their rules so it isn't a requirement, if you need water bring it yourself.
That would result in majority of people using their normal water bottles which they aren't going to just throw away.

Hurrache · 31-05-2018 2:18pm

Slow_Runner wrote: »

I'd say up to a point they do but a lot of the time the bins are contaminated with non-recyclable material-gel wrappers/clothing/wipes - as well as bottles.
Main issue I see at races is a$$holes throwing their bottles into ditches and fields where the organizers can't collect them, should be a DQ act if caught imo.

I was still finding gel wrappers around the course of the Great Ireland Run 2 weeks ago.

Some people are just assholes.

average_runner · 31-05-2018 3:53pm

Hurrache wrote: »

I was still finding gel wrappers around the course of the Great Ireland Run 2 weeks ago.

Some people are just assholes.

Which leads to a different question, why would a person use gels for a 10k:rolleyes:

listermint · 31-05-2018 3:58pm

Mandatory water packs for all. Simple as that. You would save the use of THOUSANDS of bottles over night.

But simple fact, drinks companys sponsor events so that will never ever ever ever happen.

Ever

evolving_doors · 31-05-2018 5:12pm

listermint wrote: »

Mandatory water packs for all. Simple as that. You would save the use of THOUSANDS of bottles over night.

But simple fact, drinks companys sponsor events so that will never ever ever ever happen.

Ever

Let em clean it up if they want to push it into people's hands.

listermint · 31-05-2018 5:18pm

evolving_doors wrote: »

Let em clean it up if they want to push it into people's hands.

I think the point is cleaning up is not the problem. The fact is procured is the problem. We need to eliminate this waste not just clean it up.

Reusable is key,

will it happen, probably only when industry is forced to from Legislation or EU directive

KJ · 31-05-2018 5:52pm

Slow_Runner wrote: »

I'd say up to a point they do but a lot of the time the bins are contaminated with non-recyclable material-gel wrappers/clothing/wipes - as well as bottles.
Main issue I see at races is a$$holes throwing their bottles into ditches and fields where the organizers can't collect them, should be a DQ act if caught imo.

Last Sunday I ran the Newry Half Marathon and saw a guy throw a water bottle into the Carlingford Lough. Absolute prick.

walshb · 31-05-2018 6:28pm

Anyone who can't run 10 k without water shouldn't be running 10k...

average_runner · 31-05-2018 6:43pm

KJ wrote: »

Last Sunday I ran the Newry Half Marathon and saw a guy throw a water bottle into the Carlingford Lough. Absolute prick.

Did you say anything?

KJ · 31-05-2018 7:46pm

average_runner wrote: »

Did you say anything?

I did but he had earphones in and didn't turn around.

average_runner · 31-05-2018 8:32pm

KJ wrote: »

I did but he had earphones in and didn't turn around.

Fair play. You tried.

TFBubendorfer · 31-05-2018 8:55pm

KJ wrote: »

Last Sunday I ran the Newry Half Marathon and saw a guy throw a water bottle into the Carlingford Lough. Absolute prick.

Every year there are guys (ALWAYS guys) that throw water bottles over fences into people's gardens during DCM.

The utter arseholness of such behaviour is impossible to overstate.

However, in the grand scheme of things the amount of water bottles used in races in this country is utterly insignificant compared to the amount of water bottles consumed in total.

ThePiedPiper · 31-05-2018 9:18pm

The vast majority of the marathons I’ve run abroad give out the water in paper cups. Couple of sips and throw the rest over your head. The running public in Ireland consistently complain when water is not provided in bottles. DCM is ridiculous with the 500ml bottles that are given out, it really bugs me accepting a huge bottle only to have to empty most of it and then look for a bin.

Agree totally about the a holes who fling bottles into gardens, but they simply shouldn’t be provided in the first place. I’m sure people could eventually learn how to drink from a cup. Heaven forbid anyone should spill some on themselves or have to slow down to drink some water. The horror!

theyoungchap · 31-05-2018 9:41pm

People who throw into gardens/lakes are scum. End of.

But it is impossible to drink out of a cup, and the water bottle can be carried for a while too. To be fair, the DCM give 250ml bottles if I remember correctly?

ger664 · 31-05-2018 10:06pm

Most Foreign Marathons I have ran will only have bottles in the first or second station. Cups thereafter. 500ml bootles are often cheaper the smaller sized bottles especially in the quantities the larger city marathons would require. However half full bottles on the road around the water station is a major trip hazard for runners especially when they are tired in the later stages of a marathon.

Races have to give water in bottles here because runners complain if they dont get it that way. Race organisers are just suppling the demand so if people have an issue with it we need to educate the general public that you don't need water in a bottle or for a 10K (only in the unusual warm weather which is most welcome but all too rare in Ireland)

Paper Cups probably cause as much waste especially as we now find out that they cannot be recycled. Also bottled water carries 23% VAT here because it is a plastic bottle but this doesnt seem to reduce our consumption of the same.

ThePiedPiper · 31-05-2018 10:09pm

theyoungchap wrote: »

People who throw into gardens/lakes are scum. End of.

But it is impossible to drink out of a cup, and the water bottle can be carried for a while too. To be fair, the DCM give 250ml bottles if I remember correctly?

Ok, I’m thinking of the lucozade bottles possibly. But seriously, impossible to drink water out of a cup? I really can’t comprehend that attitude. Slow down or stop for 5 seconds if you need to.

hawkwing · 01-06-2018 12:11am

Maybe people should carry their Donore Jingle Bells 5k mug with them and refill from drinking troughs at the side of the road,can be used for many races

Chivito550 · 01-06-2018 9:30am

TFBubendorfer wrote: »

Every year there are guys (ALWAYS guys) that throw water bottles over fences into people's gardens during DCM.

The utter arseholness of such behaviour is impossible to overstate.

However, in the grand scheme of things the amount of water bottles used in races in this country is utterly insignificant compared to the amount of water bottles consumed in total.

Not running related, but closely related to this, next time you are on the train going from Connolly towards Drumcondra, look out the left hand window, and notice the amount of filth local residents throw over the walls of their back garden into that deadzone between their garden and the train tracks. Humans, as a species, really are disgusting when you think about it.

theyoungchap · 01-06-2018 9:44am

Chivito550 wrote: »

Not running related, but closely related to this, next time you are on the train going from Connolly towards Drumcondra, look out the left hand window, and notice the amount of filth local residents throw over the walls of their back garden into that deadzone between their garden and the train tracks. Humans, as a species, really are disgusting when you think about it.

Yeah, and they will be the first people complaining of a problem with rats....throw stuff over a fence beside a canal, Einstein material.

ThePiedPiper wrote: »

Ok, I’m thinking of the lucozade bottles possibly. But seriously, impossible to drink water out of a cup? I really can’t comprehend that attitude. Slow down or stop for 5 seconds if you need to.

When I have done marathons, etc I have always found I drink the water over a mile or two after the water station. Hard to balance a cup for that length, or have enough water...

average_runner · 01-06-2018 9:46am

Chivito550 wrote: »

Not running related, but closely related to this, next time you are on the train going from Connolly towards Drumcondra, look out the left hand window, and notice the amount of filth local residents throw over the walls of their back garden into that deadzone between their garden and the train tracks. Humans, as a species, really are disgusting when you think about it.

You really wonder what kind of people these are. Just dont get it

Doctors room ghost · 01-06-2018 9:54am

Got caught here one year to volunteer at a water station in local marathon.never again.bunch of ungrateful pr1cks the lot of them.
We were only 8k in and you would swear they never drank a drop in their lives.
Hundreds of plastic bottles that we had to uncap and have ready on a table.they would grab one passing take a little slug and fcuk it into the ditch with a big important head on them.
One of the front ass holes shouted he wanted a bottle left into his RIGHT hand.shouted back to get it him fcukin self off the table.and when all the want to be Sonia o sullivans had passed forest gump here had to pick up all the bottles and bag them up. The last few through were giving out we had none left and hundreds of bottles with a slug gone fired all over the place.
Home then for forest gump and not so much as a thank you.never a fcukin again

Butterbeans · 01-06-2018 9:55am

I ran the Maynooth 10k a couple of weeks back and they gave out water in hard plastic cups. All cups were being collected as they were being discarded. Same when you crossed the finish line, water was in hard plastic cups, and there was a narrow stretch you had to pass through when leaving where all cups had to be relinquished. I had never seen it done before at a race, but not a bad idea.

Hurrache · 01-06-2018 10:13am

Doctors room ghost wrote: »

grab one passing take a little slug and fcuk it into the ditch ......
hundreds of bottles with a slug gone fired all over the place.

Which is another good reason why bottles shouldn't be used, they're a massive waste.

Butterbeans wrote: »

I ran the Maynooth 10k a couple of weeks back and they gave out water in hard plastic cups. All cups were being collected as they were being discarded. Same when you crossed the finish line, water was in hard plastic cups, and there was a narrow stretch you had to pass through when leaving where all cups had to be relinquished. I had never seen it done before at a race, but not a bad idea.

I've volunteered at events in which we didn't let participants run off with the cups, most were glad for a brief stop anyway, and we reused the plastic cups. There was always the one dick who'd run off with one and then throw it away expecting someone to run after them and pick it up, assholes.

theyoungchap · 01-06-2018 12:58pm

All you really need is a few huge skips for the mile or so after the water station in DCM. If people knew there was going to be one, they would hold on to a bottle. Unfortunately, some lovely local would probably get rid of that mattress he's been meaning to throw in the canal for ages......

It might be just me, but I hate stopping running for water, I much prefer keeping moving even if at a slower pace.

walshb · 01-06-2018 2:28pm

average_runner wrote: »

You really wonder what kind of people these are. Just dont get it

They are the kind of people taking over society today. Lazy ass irresponsible blame gaming couldn't give a fook about standards rules regulations don't want to pay for nothing it's never my fault assholes.......and social media has given them one hell of a voice....

Hard Worker · 01-06-2018 4:32pm

All bottles used in the Dublin Marathon are recycled by Thorntons.

nowaynever · 01-06-2018 8:03pm

Could we use coconuts?

nowaynever · 01-06-2018 8:04pm

Or edible bottles maybe?

Murph_D · 02-06-2018 1:07am

It’s easy to joke about this topic but the reality is that runners - assuming we are all on the page - are out in front of the general public on environmental issues (because we ARE the environment and we care more than the schmos). So what are WE doing to encourage race organisers to do away with the plastic, the metal, and the fabric? We don’t need any of this ****e, and we all know it. What about an AAI sustainable race badge? I’d sign up for that.

average_runner · 02-06-2018 4:11pm

Hard Worker wrote: »

All bottles used in the Dublin Marathon are recycled by Thorntons.

While this is great, the real question to ask is what energy and resources are used to recycle them.

purple cow · 02-06-2018 6:51pm

Coming to a race near you:
https://www.fastcompany.com/40403025/this-edible-water-bottle-is-how-youll-drink-in-the-future

Plastic waste at Irish running events

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