Exeter in the running for greenest marathon

Published: 5 April 2019

Running events in Exeter are going green, with plastic water bottles used by the competitors in the upcoming Exeter Live Better Marathon set to be gathered up, recycled and turned into new water bottles.

The environmental commitment has been forged by event organisers Exeter City Community  Trust (ECCT) and recycling experts Exeter City Council.

Runners in the Exeter Live Better Marathon and half marathon event on 19 May will be able to rehydrate and then recycle their bottles in special containers further down the route.

The bottles will then be sent to the City Council’s Materials Reclamation Facility in Exton Road and then on to be recycled and made into new bottles, cutting down on waste and valuable resources.

Red and white barrier tape and cable ties used for the races will also be recycled.

Race director Pete Ferlie said: “We’re delighted to have the City Council on board helping to make the Exeter Live Better Marathon one of the greenest running events in the country.

“Every year we work hard to gather up after the runners but inevitably some bottles find their way into waste bins, streams or hedgerows.

“As race organisers we are very conscious of our responsibility to the environment and helping make Exeter a better place to live. We are sure runners will get behind us with this initiative.”

Exeter City Council’s MRF Manager Matt Hulland has been central to the recycling initiative, liaising closely with ECCT. Matt previously helped set up the City Council’s involvement in taking plastics collected from beaches in the South West and turning them into useful items made from recycled plastic.

“By working closely with the Trust and runners taking part in the Marathon and other events we can really make a difference here in Exeter, protecting the environment for us and future generations to come,” said Hulland.