The view of trees from the forest floor

Environment

Managing our environmental impact at the TCS London Marathon

Find out what steps we are taking to manage the environmental impacts of this incredible event.

 

Pre-event

  • All international ballot participants have paid a carbon levy to help compensate for greenhouse gas emissions associated with overseas travel. This is then spent on credits which fund a variety of carbon-removing projects
  • Our entry system offers everyone the choice of having a tree planted instead of having a Finisher T-shirt through our partnership with Trees Not Tees
  • Runners can also choose to not take a medal
  • Our Green travel tool (link sent out in pre-event comms) helps participants with their travel plans - highlighting the lowest carbon travel methods and offering the option to make a voluntary donation to remove the carbon associated with their travel 

At the TCS London Marathon Running Show

  • New Balance finisher T-shirts are made from 100% recycled polyester
  • Bib numbers are printed on-demand to reduce waste
  • No single-use carpet in large areas of the Running Show and all carpet used is made from recycled material and is then sent to be recycled
  • Tap water refill station to reduce the use of single use bottles
  • Dedicated Sustainability Stand showcasing what we are doing and helping raise awareness of the environmental impact of the event to participants and supporters 

On the day

  • Salvation Army will be collecting discarded clothing in the Start Assembly Areas for re-use and recycling where possible
  • The finisher medals are made from recycled zinc alloy
  • Kit bags are made from sugarcane, which is a type of bioplastic that is recyclable
  • There will be Water Refill Stations in the Start and Finish Areas and at five locations along the course providing tap water from bowsers suitable for runners who are carrying their own container (hydration vest or hand-held running bottle)
  • Buxton Natural Mineral Water bottles are made of 100% recycled plastic (excluding cap and label) and are collected separately, returned to Buxton and recycled into new bottles. These are 250ml bottles, specially produced for London Marathon Events by Buxton and are designed to help save water and plastic.
  • Lucozade bottles are also made from 100% recycled plastic (excluding cap and label) and are collected separately, then sent for recycling
  • At Lucozade energy drink stations, we use compostable cups.  The cups are all collected up and send for industrial composting.
  • HVO (vegetable oil) fuel is used in generators and in baggage lorries
  • Electric vehicles are used on course as lead vehicles and many of the vehicles used in the operational fleet are now electric.
  • Baggage lorries are fuelled with HVO (vegetable oil).
  • There is free transport for participants and volunteers on the underground, DLR and some overground services
  • Those who have opted out of a medal can visit our Finish Line Selfie Station for a special finisher’s photo opportunity
  • There will be waste/recycling stations staffed by volunteers to help with better waste segregation at the Start and Finish Areas
  • Look out for our Recycling Zones and Keep Clean Zones on the route. Drop bottles, gel wrappers, etc, in the bins in the clearly marked Recycling Zones and please don't drop any waste in the Keep Clean Zones 

Play your part! 

Want to keep your environmental footprint light?  Here’s how… 

  • Use a hydration vest, bottle belt or carry a hand-held bottle or collapsible cup so that you can use our water refill points around the route.  This helps to cut down on waste from single-use cups.
  • If you will be wearing extra layers to keep warm at the start that you plan to drop please ensure they are clean and not full of holes!  Our charity partners need them to raise money.
  • Buy pre-loved sports clothing and donate good quality unwanted kit with Preloved Sports at the Running Show 
  • Bring along those trainers that you don’t wear any more to donate to JogOn at the Running Show
  • Along the route, please use the bins provided and don’t drop litter on the road
  • Come and find out more about what we’re doing and how you can play a part at our Sustainability Stand – and refill your water bottle at our water refill point
  • Use public transport to get to and from the event with your friends and family.  Keep those carbon emissions down!