Sponsor Environmental Guidelines

To demonstrate our commitment to environmental and social responsibility, this year we are recertifying the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle and the Bank of America Chicago Marathon with the Council for Responsible Sport. In 2023, the Bank of America Chicago 13.1 was awarded evergreen certification, the Council for Responsible Sport’s highest level of achievement. Your support is critical to our success.

As a partner in our event, you are key to the success of our waste minimization effort. In order to minimize the amount of refuse sent to the landfill, we request that all items given away or sold be reusable, recyclable or compostable. All single use decorations including stickers, balloons, plastic tablecloths, etc. should not be used. Consider eliminating any single use plastic product. Refer to the Giveaways and Material Guidance document for additional information.

RACE WEEKEND RACE PLAN

• Submit a waste support request for any ‘back of house’ waste, allowing us to arrange pickup in advance.
• Recycling and composting services are available throughout the event site. Consult the City of Chicago’s recycling guide and compost guide for accepted items. Please note, we also accept paper, wet cardboard and BPI certified compostable items in our compost collection.
• Participate in our candy and snack wrapper recycling program via TerraCycle and LDPE #4 plastic bag & film recycling (stretch wrap, Heatsheets), available at all Zero Waste Station tents located throughout Garfield Park.
• If you plan on serving prepared food at the event, please complete the waste support request so we can donate remaining food to those in need.

GIVEAWAYS AND MATERIALS GUIDANCE

The following is offered as a source reference for all giveaways and merchandise. It will help ensure that products are of value to the recipient and contain one or more sustainability attributes. We encourage giving thought to the resources used to produce materials and recommend they are relevant to the event and the region.

USE ECO-FRIENDLY ALTERNATIVES

• Is it locally sourced? If not, can you find a locally sourced alternative?
• Is the item available from local artisans and/or handcrafted?
• Does the company you are purchasing from support safe and fair labor practices?
• Consider products made out of recycled content
  • Recycled polyester (rPET)
  • Uses reclaimed wood
  • Upcycled/repurposed/reclaimed materials
  • When possible, use 100% recycled paper with at least 30% post consumer
• Made from organic or renewable materials
  • Certified organic cotton, bamboo, hemp, soy, tencel, or coconut
  • Better Cotton Initiative participant
  • Fair Trade certified cotton
  • FSC certified wood
• Eliminate unnecessary or repetitive documents
• Can serve as a tool or resource to assist in conservation and/or waste prevention efforts
• Refer to “End of life cycle” when making a decision

CONSIDER END OF LIFE CYCLE OF THE PRODUCT THAT AVOIDS LANDFILLING

• Ensure item can be recycled, reused, repurposed, donated, or composted
• Check for specialty recycling programs for hard to recycle items via TerraCycle or other nearby recycling programs

USE GREEN PACKAGING AND SHIPPING OPTIONS WHEN AVAILABLE

• Items should not be individually packaged or wrapped in plastic
• Minimize packaging size
• Packing material should made of recycled content and can be recycled, composted, or reused when no longer needed
• Purchase in bulk when feasible/minimizing single use products
• Choose ground vs air
• Order packaging that is Use recycled pallets or use a pallet recycling program

FOOD AND FOOD PACKAGING GUIDELINES

By supporting local growers and sustainable food production practices, and reducing the
amount of energy consumed by transporting food and beverages from afar, you can have a significant positive impact on both the environment and the health of the people you are feeding.

SUSTAINABLY PRODUCED IS DEFINED AS:

• Grown and processed within 250 miles of event site
• Certified organic
• Fair Trade Certified
• Rainforest Alliance Certified

SUSTAINABLE FOOD PACKAGING:

• Unlined aluminum foil
• Waxed paper – compostable
• BPI certified compostable paper or plant-based trays