Did you know that a single marathon event can produce at least 2,527.20 kg of waste? Now, imagine the waste produced annually with more than 800 marathons held every year globally. Major events inevitably lead to mass waste being produced, not only because of the large amounts of resources required to run the event but also because of the sheer number of people involved who could indirectly contribute to waste production. This is why initiating sustainable practices in the sports scene is important, as it creates awareness and rallies people to take real action to reduce their waste.
RunCzech, renowned for organising world-class running events in the heart of Europe, celebrated its 30th season milestone this year as it collaborated with Foopak, Mattoni, Birell, and Adidas to work towards its sustainable vision. This collaboration promoted eco-friendly practices within the marathon circuit across the different race series.
Foopak’s Contributions
Foopak is a paperboard material for food and beverage packaging, a subsidiary of APP Group, sharing the same vision as RunCzech – it wants to make a significant impact on the planet. It believes that runners, organisers, and volunteers can make a big impact by joining the sustainable movement. To significantly reduce plastic waste produced from traditional plastic cups provided at marathons, Foopak sponsored compostable, biodegradable, and recyclable Foopak Bio Natura cups at various marathons.
During the five Mattoni Marathons held from May to June 2024, Foopak supplied 40,000 cups each for the Karlovy Vary and České Budějovice Half Marathons, and 60,000 for the Olomouc Half Marathon at various hydration points. Aside from these races, Foopak also provided their eco-friendly cups at the Birell and Adidas marathons, amounting to a total of 500,000 Foopak Bio Natura cups replacing traditional single-use plastic cups.
“We are thrilled to have been able to partner with Mattoni, Birell, and Adidas to not just promote a healthy lifestyle, but also a healthy planet. We would like to thank RunCzech for connecting us to these brands to strive towards our shared goal,” said Benny Chiadarma, Regional Sales Head of Europe, APP Group. Additionally, Foopak believes that if this initiative of large events undertaking sustainable practices can be established, it would encourage individuals to do the same in their daily lives.
Know Our Partners
The highly popular Mattoni Olomouc Running Festival by Mattoni Group, the largest producer of soft drinks in Central Europe, features a half marathon (21km) around the captivating Haná region’s metropolis, allowing runners to take in all of its beautiful landmarks and rich history as they journey around the historic centre.
Gelas Birell 10k Race unites all runners of all levels to let them experience Prague at twilight when the city is at its most magical. Birell is the bestselling non-alcoholic beer brand in the Czech Republic, offering the taste of alcoholic beverages with flavoured twists to them, without the effects of alcohol. It is committed to toasting a sustainable future while contributing to sports events and campaigns aimed at healthy living.
Leading sportswear brand Adidas organised the Adidas Women’s Race 5k, the only big race in Prague exclusively for women. It holds a commitment to sustainability, which is embedded in its practices with transparency. This includes their partnership with Parley for the Oceans in 2021 which led them to create sportswear using recycled plastic waste.
Foopak Beyond The Finish Line
Foopak’s commitment to sustainability runs globally past the RunCzech borders. In May 2024, the company proudly sponsored 17,000 compostable cups at the Elle Run in Taiwan, followed by another 50,000 at the Singapore Income Eco Run. Their eco-friendly mission extends to other significant events, including the 2024 International Sustainability Forum, where Foopak supplied 50,000 plastic-free cups for participants over two days.
Foopak’s partnership with forward-thinking organisations goes above merely minimising waste, it aims to cultivate a culture of sustainability that empowers everyone to create a positive impact. Every cup makes a difference, and Foopak remains dedicated to sparking change across the world, one event at a time.
