Run Info :: Going Green
Going Green
We have realized over the years the importance of reducing our carbon footprint at our events. We are proud to show you our efforts to get greener and greener. We encourage you to join us in this movement to be as eco-friendly as possible — in your travels, at the Packet Pick-up, on course, and at the post-race celebration!
Here are some of the steps we are taking to get greener...
Recycling from Start to Finish
This year we are being extra conscientious in our recycling efforts. Turtle Island Recycling will be collecting and sorting all cardboard, plastics and other recyclables at the start, all the water stations on course, and at the finish. Please do your part and deposit your plastic water bottles in the recycling bins in the party site.
Composting Food — No Waste
We'll have compost bins at the post-race located all over the party site for you to deposit your banana peels, apple cores, and other food waste.
We also give all the extra leftover food to Second Harvest. 
Reusable Goodie Bags
No more disposable plastic goodie bags! After the run this year, you'll get a reusable bag into which you can put your food and other goodies!
Green Team
We have created a Green Team made of very energetic people who are there to help us and you make our event greener! They are making sure that the bins are well managed, that all the waste is in its right place. Please feel free to ask them questions about recycling and our exciting project to get greener!
Green Port-O-Lets
We all know that typical port-o-lets can hurt the environment with cleaning chemical products and chemical deodorants. For a few years now we have partnered with Chantler's to have green port-o-lets. They are using green cleaning products, products that respect the environment. They also provide us with recyclable hand towels. So don't feel guilty about using our port-o-lets that are all super eco-friendly!
Registration Online Saves Our Trees
Every one of our events offers ONLINE REGISTRATION and for years this has saved tons of trees. In 2011, 96% of our Harry's Spring Run Off 8k & 5k participants registered through ONLINE REGISTRATION!
NOW: What can you do to reduce your carbon footprint at our events?
Recycle — Don't Waste — Be Self-Conscious
We try our best to make our events more eco-friendly because we believe that we all need to make an effort to respect Mother Earth and our environment. Please help us by putting your waste in the right bins. Don't waste food; all leftovers will be donated to less fortunate people.
Reducing Your Carbon Footprint
We encourage all runners, family, friends and spectators to share a ride or take public transportation to the expo and to the race. If 10,000 runners all drove 20 miles, we'd produce about 100 tons of CO2. That's because every mile you drive produces about one pound of carbon dioxide. So carpooling and public transport can dramatically reduce our footprint.
Looking to offset your Carbon Footprint to and from our event? A great way to do this is to make a donation to a non-profit, registered charity like Tree Canada. When you donate money to plant and care for trees, you are donating to something that has enormous benefits for people, animals and our planet. On their website you can calculate CO2 emissions from your travel and purchase trees which are planted in Canada to offset them. Simply click here. When you donate remember to tell them you are participating in Harry's Spring Run-Off 8k & 5k in the Questions/Comments Section.
Check out www3.ttc.ca and their Trip Planner (on the left hand side of their site) to see what bus and/or streetcar can drive you to our event. Fares: $3.00 per trip; or you can purchase a DAY PASS. Details of routes and fares at www3.ttc.ca. For all inquiries regarding TTC service on race day: www3.ttc.ca or call (416) 393-INFO (4636).
Don't have access to a ride or public transport? Then consider using Pickuppal. It's free and exclusive to the Canada Running Series runners. You can ask for or offer a ride. Log into the website and you can find or offer a ride for the Toronto Yonge Street 10k under our “Events” tab. Scroll down and look for the event of your choice.
Need help? Download Pickuppal instructions here
Read about some of the things the City of Toronto is doing to become a world-leader in Green initiatives: www.toronto.ca/environment/initiatives/ and www.toronto.ca/garbage/
