Half-marathon event takes major step to becoming plastic free

The TTP Cambridge Half Marathon has taken a major step towards becoming a single-use plastic free event as it announces a partnership with Countrystyle Recycling.

From the 2023 race the TTP Cambridge Half Marathon will use Vegware’s compostable products, meaning up to 50,000 single use water bottles will be eliminated from the event.

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In an entirely local initiative, the disposable cups are being treated in Cambridgeshire and will end up on flowerbeds throughout the region.

Post-event, the cups will be processed into compost which will be used across the county. Jesus College – which forms part of the course’s iconic route and leads the way in Cambridge with its ambitious sustainability strategies – will use some of the resultant compost within its landscaped grounds following the 2023 TTP Cambridge Half Marathon.

The CSM-owned event, which will be the most sustainable to date, takes place on 5 March 2023 and will once again take runners past a series of historic landmarks, through beautiful Cambridgeshire countryside and into the grounds of two iconic Colleges. Last year’s race saw over 10,000 runners take to the streets of Cambridge and surrounding areas, with hundreds of thousands raised for charity.

Adam Moffat, Event Director of the TTP Cambridge Half Marathon commented:

“The TTP Cambridge Half Marathon is an event with sustainability at its core. We are very proud of the beautiful Cambridgeshire scenery and want to do our bit to protect it.

“By using Vegware products, the TTP Cambridge Half Marathon 2023 will ensure it continues to care for the beautiful Cambridgeshire countryside.

“This is a major step forward for the event and it takes us closer to being totally single use plastic free – which is the ultimate ambition. We’ll continue to work with partners and suppliers to ensure a path of being completely single use plastic free in the future.”

Kate Stansfield, Countrystyle Recycling, said:

“Countrystyle Recycling is delighted to be working with the TTP Cambridge Half Marathon to collect Vegware’s compostable products from the event.

“The material will be processed nearby to create high quality compost for use back in Cambridge, reducing the use and presence of single use plastics in the local environment.”

Updates and information regarding the event will be found on the TTP Cambridge Half Marathon Website event information page and throughout the website.