Chevron Houston Marathon Gets Gold For Sustainability

Chevron Houston Marathon Gets Gold For Sustainability

PORTLAND, Ore.—The Council for Responsible Sport announced that the Houston Marathon Committee was awarded gold certification for its sustainability efforts while conducting the 2013 Chevron Houston Marathon event weekend.  

“Last year, the Houston Marathon Committee (HMC) took on the ambitious challenge of having both the 2012 Chevron Houston Marathon and U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials certified by the Council for Responsible Sport,” said Keith Peters, executive director of the council.

For the past three years, HMC has partnered with Waste Management and its sustainability services to incorporate their greening efforts into every stage of the race weekend events. Waste Management donates sustainable port-o-lets and assists the HMC’s waste collection, removal and diversion to its recycling and composting center. “People often think of our certification as being all about environmental responsibility, but over half of the credits pertain to socially responsible things like community involvement, promoting healthy lifestyles and inclusion. The Chevron Houston Marathon scores well in every category,” Peters said.

HMC earned 52 of 55 certification credits for which it applied this year, including for collaboration with the Houston Fire Department to produce a hands-only CPR awareness training video for race attendees and for partnering with Hirsch Elementary School to help it earn money through the Dream Team Recycling Rally.

Other initiatives implemented in 2013 include eliminating the printing and distribution of more than 15,000 pounds of paper; implementing 100 percent online registration; collecting 1,223 pounds of old running shoes for donation to a homeless shelter; donating 8,930 pounds of unused bottled water and food from the post-race party to the Houston Food Bank; and using alternative fuel vehicles for race operations.