In 2009 Bloomsday began working on ways to reduce the waste and consumption that goes along with staging a community running celebration for over 50,000 people. This was dubbed our “Getting Greener” initiative. This was over and above past successes that included over 70% of participants taking advantage of online registration, over 16,780 rides to and from Bloomsday on STA shuttles in 2008, hundreds of cyclists taking advantage of the Spokane Bicycle Club’s Bike Corral, recycling of single-use plastic water bottles, and a yearly donation of discarded clothing to charity.

On top of these ongoing successes, in 2009 Bloomsday broke new ground:

• Sent 2080 pounds of discarded water cups to be composted.
• Collected 1,510 pounds of cardboard to be recyled.
• Removed 22% of total waste (cups, cardboard, plastic bottles) to be composted or recycled.
• Helped increase STA’s Bloomsday Express Service by 10.28%.
• Reduced printed brochures by 20,000 (17%), and used paper made from 100% post-consumer waste, printed with non-petroleum, soy-based inks.
• Online registration rose from 70% to 75% of total registrations.
• Encouraged recycling at Safeway Stores of plastic “goodie bags” bags given out at Check-In.
• Worked with Spokane Convention Center employees in encouraging recycling by Bloomsday Trade Show exhibitors
• Offered souvenir apparel made from recyled polyester and plastic bottles.

This was a good start, and for 2010 we’re hoping to expand on these successes:

• Increase composting of water cups.
• Reduce overall waste by 10%.
• Reduce printing of entry brochures by20%.
• Encourage increased online registration.
• Promote increased use of public transportation, carpooling and bike riding to and from Bloomsday.
• Expand access to recyling in the downtown core by providing a greater number of ClearStream receptacles through a cooperative effort with Hoopfest and the City of Spokane.
• Increase plastic “goodie bag” recyling at Safeway Stores.
• Explore potential for composting food waste.
• Increase awareness and compliance among our participants of our “Getting Greener” initiative.
• Work toward ReSport Certification from the Council for Responsible Sport.

Please support these and other ongoing Bloomsday efforts to reduce, reuse and recycle. Here are 10 steps you can take to become a greener runner:

• Run or walk more, drive less—run or walk errands, or run or walk to work.
• Bike or carpool to races or group training runs.
• Drink less bottled water—drink tap water or use a water filter.
• Carry water in a reusable aluminum or stainless steel bottle.
• Pick up litter while you run or walk.
• Encourage your training group to help keep Spokane green.
• Support healthy community initiatives that encourage fitness.
• Only do full loads of laundry, wash with cold water and hang clothes to dry.
• Buy locally grown and organic produce.
• Buy Eco-friendly running apparel.