Desert Dash

All of us everyday have an opportunity to choose products and actions that will help our planet and impact the environment in a positive way.  Our goal right from the creation of our 2010 Desert Dash series has been to offer green events, make good environmental choices in our business practices which we can pass on to you and just try to do the best we can each day.  Here are some of the things we are doing and where we will continue to grow!

Paper reduction

Though it may seem like something so small, paper reduction is a huge part of our business.  All our race registrations are online and waivers as well.  At our races whatever paper is used for timing or information purposes is recycled after the race.  And, all our business communication is done on the computer and over the internet.  We only print out what is absolutely necessary.

Energy Bar Brigade

Ever wonder if your energy bar wrapper could be recycled?  Well, it can but in a different way!  We are very proud to have gotten a spot with a program offered by Terracyle that upcycles your energy bar wrappers.  What is upcycling?  This is where instead of breaking the product down, it is built up into another product.  Most of the wrappers are turned into fashionable bags, pencil cases and more.  AND, for every wrapper we send in, 2 cents is donated to Feeding America! To find out more about Terracycle and their programs, check out their website:

www.Terracycle.net

And, if you ever just want to bring us your wrappers  that you have saved, please do!  Only energy bar wrappers can be collected though, no gel, chocolate bar or other candy wrappers.

Reducing garbage from gels

Most athletes like to use some form of gel during their long distance events.  A kick squeeze of the little pouch and you have an instant 100 calorie or so boost.  But, these little wrappers can accumalate to a lot of waste.  To reduce this waste, we have a great solution!  As a one of our other gifts to you, which helps you, us and Mother Nature, we will provide everyone a one time, Welcome to the Desert Dash family Hammer Gel flask.  Now, you may ask...what will I fill it with?  You pick!  We will have a variety of flavours of Hammer Gels at the races, or fill your flask up at home with your favourite gel and bring it along.  It is just nice and simple way for us to reduce waste.  We do want to say one really important thing, so far none of our athletes have littered at any race!  You are just like us and we all love this great backyard we have to play in, so thank you for respecting it and keeping it clean!

Water, water everywhere?

At all our races we will provide you with water but not in the bottled form.  All our aid stations will be stocked with large water barrels and containers of HEED (an excellent Hammer Nutrition product)  Simply BYOB - bring your own water bottle and you are good to go!

And, in case you forget your bottle when you come to your first race with us, we are giving everyone a one time Welcome to the Desert Dash family Polar Water bottle.  Make sure you bring it to future events.

The desert is an environment where every drop of water counts, by first and foremost not contributing to the bottled water problem and secondly using whatever water is not drunk at the race for plants and trees we ensure no waste of water.

 Reducing plastic bags

We have taken a hard look at the concept of swag bags?  Usually swag bags are plastic bags that may or may not be recyclable and may or may not actually end up in a recycling bin if they are.  Most people just dump what is in the bag out so they can look through what is in the bag.  Right now, we have bags leftover from 2009, we will use them until they are done and then we are done.  Instead your swag will come to you in a nice and neat pile of...swag!  That's it!  No bag necessary!  If you consider a race that uses 100's or 1000's or more bags, that is a lot of plastic bags we can keep out of the landfill.

Decreasing carbon emissions

We can accomplish this goal in a few ways.  First, we encourage you if you know someone that is coming to a race, carpool if you can.  Also, we will have packet pickup prior to the race but, if you want to save making a trip we are more than happy to have you pick up your packet on race day.  One less trip in the car means fewer emissions.  It is nothing big or radical but this small step makes a difference!