In the lead-up to Income Eco Run (IER) 2018, Income has taken significant steps to support their initiative of running towards zero waste.
To further their goal of building a sustainable environment, the insurer has formed a strategic partnership with the Singapore Environment Council (SEC).
Using their Income Eco Run Farmers’ Market & REPC as a platform to inspire and support change in the community, Income also joined thousands of runners over the weekend in committing themselves to the climate action pledge (www.climateaction.sg) launched by the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources.
Mr Masagos Zulkifli, Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, commented, “NTUC Income is setting a good example in the Year of Climate Action. It is making a Climate Action SG pledge, taking responsibility to reduce waste generation, and challenging participants of the Income Eco Run to do the same. These efforts are important in building a sustainable future for Singapore, and I urge more organisations to come on board.”
To help Income further their commitment to building a sustainable environment, Strategic Green Advisor, SEC will conduct a Green Event Assessment Report for IER 2018, where key environmental factors such as carbon emissions, waste generated and recycled, water and energy consumption will be analysed.
This is the first time SEC will assess a mass sporting event, establishing a new benchmark for assessing future events that encourage people to play a part in creating a sustainable Singapore.
At the IER 2017, close to 300kg (equivalent to the total weight of 1530 iPhone X mobile phones) of waste generation was diverted due to the actions of 1,500 Zero Waste runners. Their efforts included voluntarily giving up race entitlements such as medals and finisher tees. It paved the way for new goals to be set in the upcoming IER, continuing Income’s efforts to push towards a sustainable environment.
To achieve an even bigger reduction in waste generation this year, SEC has outlined ways to further reduce waste both pre-event and at the race itself. Some of the new steps being taken this year include:–
Pre-Event
- Giving all participants the option to opt out of receiving their race packs at registration
- Use of e-vouchers to reduce usage of paper
- Option to return contents of race packs at Race Entry Pack Collection (REPC) to reduce waste
Race day
- Being a carbon neutral event
- Composting all banana peels (apx 700kg)
- Reducing the lining in paper cups by 50 per cent, which will allow them to be recycled
- Recycling all paper cups, plastic bottles and metals cans on site
- Working with more partners such as ofo to provide more eco-friendly transport options for race day
Drawing insights from data collected last year’s run, SEC estimates the waste generated per capita of participants was 0.076kg. The waste generated per capita is calculated by the amount of waste (paper cups, plastic bags, race pack etc) generated by each participant at the event. As organisers fight to reduce waste collectively, Income Eco Run would also like to challenge all participants to lower their waste generated per capita on the race day. Some actions that may be taken to lower it include:–
Reducing material waste
- Bringing your own water bottle to use at refill stations rather than using paper cups
- Bringing your own reusable bags to store dirty race tees after the race
- Bringing a towel rather than wet tissues or tissue paper to freshen up after the race
- Bringing all natural snacks such as fruits rather than packaged items as refreshments
Reducing carbon emissions
- Choosing to share transport or taking eco-friendly transport options to and from the race in order to reduce carbon footprint
- This year, ofo is providing every participant with two complimentary seven-day passes to cover transport for Income Eco Run Farmers’ Market & REPC and race day. Details will be shared with participants via e-mail
Ms Jen Teo, Executive Director of SEC, said: “The Singapore Environment Council is proud to partner with the Income Eco Run, this being the first time SEC will assess a mass sporting event. Our collaboration with NTUC Income is part of SEC’s efforts to work with organisations and the community to take climate action together. A growing number of Singaporeans want to behave more sustainably and reduce the waste and carbon footprint generated by their activities. We would like to encourage the public to take part in activities like the Income Eco Run that promote sustainable action.”
Earlier this month, runners collected their race entry packs at the Income Eco Run Farmers’ Market & REPC at the F1 Pit Building. In the spirit of the Run, participants had the opportunity to learn about how to lead a more sustainable lifestyle and take the first steps toward conscious living.
In support of this, Income Eco Run’s green partners and vendors provided green tips, ranging from upcycling to learning how to DIY household and beauty products. Representatives from MEWR were also present, collecting pledges from runners who followed Income’s lead to take Climate Action against climate change.
Marcus Chew, Chief Marketing Officer, Income, commented, “The essence of Income Eco Run is to continuously strive to journey towards zero waste and we’re proud to welcome Singapore Environment Council on board this journey.”
“Building a sustainable environment depends greatly on the day to day actions of everyone and we are pleased to be the latest organisation to pledge support to MEWR to take Climate Action against climate change. Utilising the race as a platform for change and education, Income Eco Run hopes to inspire even more commitment from the public to help Singapore become future ready.”
Income Eco Run 2018 will take place on 29 April 2018 at the F1 Pit Building with the first category (21.1km Half Marathon) flagging off at 5am. For more information about Income Eco Run 2018, please visit IncomeEcoRun.sg.
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