NEW IN 2021: SUSTAINABLE ACTIONS

NEW IN 2021: SUSTAINABLE ACTIONS

As we continue to measure and consider ways to reduce our event’s overall climate impact, we are implementing new actions to reduce our overall carbon footprint. These initiatives include moving from paper to digital guides, eliminating carpet at the Abbott Health & Fitness Expo, and offering a voluntary carbon offset program for participants and other stakeholders to offset their travel.

By sharing our Official Program and other guides digitally, 26 tons of materials will not be used, avoiding an estimated 237 metric tons of CO2e emissions from being produced and saving the wood used from about 438 trees. Environmental impact estimates were made using the Environmental Network Paper Calculator Version 4.0. For more information visit: papercalculator.org

Carpeting typically covers the exhibit hall floor for all participant common areas at the Abbott Health & Fitness Expo. By not using carpet in these areas, we are eliminating the greenhouse gas emissions produced from manufacturing, shipping and cleaning the carpet. According to a carpet study completed this year, the avoided emissions by not using 300,380 square feet of carpet is 55.04 metric tons of CO2e, not including the carpet backing. This is equivalent to 25 round trip commercial flights from Chicago to London.

The Bank of America Chicago Marathon has partnered with Cool Effect and American Airlines to offer you an easy way to offset your travel to our event. By taking action, you are supporting projects that have been scientifically verified to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. To learn more about the projects and to offset your travel, click here.

In addition to our new initiatives, the Bank of America Chicago Marathon is proud to have earned Evergreen Inspire Status from the Council for Responsible Sport in 2018 and support the United Nation’s “Sports for Climate Action” initiative. Learn about some of our ongoing initiatives below, and visit our website for the complete list of efforts.

The Bank of America Chicago Marathon works with local businesses to source products with sustainable attributes for the event. A local sign manufacturer uses fabric made from recycled plastic bottles to produce our Zero Waste Stations. Zero Waste Stations collect difficult to recycle items to send them to TerraCycle for processing. Organic waste collected at the Zero Waste Stations will be turned into nutrientrich soil and donated to local community gardens.

The Bank of America Chicago Marathon official Nike running shirt is made out of 100% recycled polyester, made from a new blend of recycled plastic bottles and polyester fabric scraps. In addition to reducing waste, recycled polyester reduces carbon emissions by up to 30% compared to virgin polyester.

Heatsheet blankets collected at the finish line are processed and turned into composite wood boards. These boards are used to create benches for installation in local community gardens.

Clothing discarded at the start line is donated to Illinois AMVETS and the Salvation Army.