By Jacqui Ricchiuti, Program Manager
On Saturday September 27, as 15,000 runners were running through the streets of Akron- and even more spectators were lining the streets watching, Keep Akron Beautiful was assisting the Akron Marathon with their recycling efforts! Early in the morning, a crew of 15 made sure that the trash cans only had trash in them, and that the recycling bins were highly utilized. This group was sorting everything that people were throwing in the trash, pulling out water bottles, cans, and making sure the clothing was donated, not thrown away! Only ten bags of trash were collected at the start line, and 2 large blue recycling toters were FULL of recyclables.
On the concourse and at the finish line of the race, our Green Team was collecting heat sheets and grocery bags, chip bags to be recycled, powerbar wrappers to be recycled, bottles and cans and banana peels to be composted.
The Akron Marathon, Keep Akron Beautiful and ReWorks rallied together to make recycling and composting a breeze for all runners involved in the festivities.
Thanks to a grant from Keep America Beautiful and The Coca-Cola Foundation, this is the second year we were able to utilize the 25 recycling bins designed specifically for placement at the race. These bins were placed on the concourse of Canal Park on Saturday, September 27.
A special thanks goes out to the “Green Team,” who worked together to make sure the recyclables and trash were in their proper places. From the start line to the finish line and everywhere in between, the volunteers did an amazing job! Congratulations Akron (AND ALL RUNNERS!) on another successful Akron Marathon!
- Our youngest volunteer, Seth Mallott, checking out the trash bins at the Akron Marathon!
- Members of Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority worked hard to make sure all of the recyclables were in the correct spot at the finish line party of the Akron Marathon!
- Working hard!
- Members of the Green Team from the Akron Marathon on Saturday September 27, worked hard to make sure there was lots of recyclables and little trash.
- Recycling the Kimble boxes at the start line after all the runners crossed the start line.