The environmental impact of large-scale events like marathons is often overlooked, yet they generate significant plastic waste. Each year, countless plastic cups, bottles, and other single-use items accumulate, contributing to pollution and environmental degradation. Recognizing this challenge, Foopak Bio Natura, the sustainable paperboard from Indonesia, and RunCzech joined forces earlier this year to tackle these challenges head-on.

How Marathons Leave Their Environmental Mark

Marathons are celebrated for their spirit of perseverance and community, but the aftermath often tells a different story—one of littered streets and overflowing trash bins. Statistics reveal that 14 million tons of plastic waste fill our oceans every year, with single-use cups and bottles being primary culprits. This plastic pollution not only mars the beauty of large-scale events but also has long-lasting environmental consequences.

APP Group’s Foopak Bio Natura has been at the forefront of sustainable packaging solutions. Its range of products, including compostable both in industrial and home level, biodegradable, and recyclable cups, addresses the pressing need for eco-friendly alternatives. The introduction of sustainable cups made from Foopak Bio Natura paperboard, designed to replace plastic cups at large-scale events, is a significant step towards reducing plastic waste. Unlike traditional PE cups, which need to undergo a process to separate the paper from the plastic, Foopak Bio Natura cups integrate seamlessly into the recycling stream, simplifying the recycling process, reducing contamination, and ensuring a higher recovery rate of usable materials.

To ensure that Foopak Bio Natura aligns with the latest global trend in plastic-free packaging, the paperboard has been certified by Flustix in Germany. Additionally, it complies with the Single-Use Plastics Directive (SUPD), meeting stringent environmental standards aimed at reducing the impact of single-use plastics on the environment. Foopak Bio Natura also adheres to home and industrial composting standards as per EN 13432, certified by ISEGA in Germany. Combining plastic-free conformity with food safety is essential to meet the latest trends in direct-contact food packaging. Therefore, Foopak Bio Natura is designed to ensure the highest level of safety for direct contact with food. We take pride in using materials that have been carefully chosen and rigorously tested for food safety, maintaining the highest standards of quality control throughout the entire manufacturing process. Foopak Bio Natura complies with food safety standards in the USA (FDA), Europe (BfR), and China (GB). From the beginning, Foopak Bio Natura has been designed to meet PFAS-free compliance, meaning no harmful chemicals are used. Lastly, Foopak Bio Natura is Halal-certified for Islamic religious purposes.

Why RunCzech?

RunCzech running circuit is a series of 10 running events in Prague and other cities of the Czech Republic, being held from April to October 2024. A renowned organiser of running races, RunCzech has a rich history and a strong commitment to sustainability. Their initiatives range from using plastic-free cups to managing waste responsibly and providing free public transport for runners to reduce carbon footprint. The use of electric cars for elite runners further underscores their dedication to minimising environmental impact.

Each race has its own official charity partner. Runners can obtain registration via charities to support their cause. It is also possible to donate 10 € directly during the registration process. On race day, charity partners are always present on the partners square to promote fundraising.

RunCzech has several green partnerships including - Nadace Partnerství – Foundation Partnerství – Marathon Alley – the project is to plant 4220 trees to honour the marathon distance and to dedicate it to Emil Zátopek, biggest Czech runner. The project started in 2014 and will finish this year with planting the last 300 trees.

Furthermore, RunCzech is regularly awarded the best running series in the Czech Republic.  The races in Prague have the Elite Road Race Label from World Athletics, providing the highest standard and safety for runners.

Motivation Behind the Collaboration

The partnership between Foopak and RunCzech is driven by a shared vision of sustainability. The collaboration aims to replace single-use plastic cups with Foopak Bio Natura cups across all RunCzech events. This initiative began with the Prague Half Marathon, where 120,000 plastic-free cups were provided, significantly reducing the event's environmental footprint.

Throughout the series, Foopak is supplying a total of over half a million plastic-free cups at all hydration stations for the 10 runs under the RunCzech Marathon’s umbrella of events. This includes events such as the Prague International Marathon where Foopak supplied 250,000 cups, and Mattoni Running Festivals  for which Foopak provided 150,000, and 60,000 cups respectively, as well as the upcoming Birell and Adidas Women’s Race on 07 September for which Foopak will be providing 40,000 sustainable cups.

Foopak's efforts also extend beyond Europe. In Southeast Asia, they have provided numerous runs including the Elle Run in Taiwan from 2022 to the present, and Income Eco Run in Singapore from 2023 until now, and the JcoRun in Indonesia, providing eco-friendly cups and promoting sustainability. The outcomes of these collaborations have been overwhelmingly positive, with a significant reduction in plastic waste and increased awareness about the importance of sustainable practices at large events.

The partnership between Foopak and RunCzech is a shining example of how organisations can work together to address environmental challenges. According to the regulations laid out by EU member states, they are replacing single-use plastic cups with sustainable alternatives and setting a new standard for marathons and large-scale events. The social impact of these marathons, through charitable partnerships and donations, further amplifies the positive influence of their efforts.

Reflecting on their journey, Wahyu Rahyuni Butarbutar, Global Product and Marketing Manager from Foopak, expressed pride in their shared mission. “Changing people's perceptions of sustainability is a big challenge. By partnering with marathons, we aim to show how small actions can make a big difference. We invite any marathon or event looking to be more sustainable to contact us for a discussion. Together, let’s lead the way and support Foopak’s mission for a greener future.”

Jiří Nečásek, Marketing Manager from RunCzech, reflected this view. “RunCzech stands strong in its position as an organiser of sustainable and environmentally friendly sports events. This is the topic that we want to focus on in alignment with the World Athletics Sustainability Strategy for all our WA label events.

At our refreshment points, we use cups, including Foopak eco cups, instead of plastic bottles. We no longer provide sponges on the course due to recycling challenges. A specialised company cleans and sorts of trash—glass and plastic—right after the race for ecological utilisation. We also offer free public transportation for runners on race day, in collaboration with the city, to reduce car usage. Often, electric cars serve as the clock cars for elite runners. Additionally, we minimise printed materials by moving everything online, including event guides and leaflets for runners. We are grateful to APP for their support through providing the recyclable drinking cups that further help bring to life the run’s sustainability objectives”.

As the world becomes more conscious of the need for sustainable practices, the Foopak and RunCzech collaboration serves as a call to action. Their alliance is a testament to the power of collective action and the importance of making environmentally responsible choices. Together, they are not just running a marathon—they “Run, Refuel, Recycle”, paving the way for a greener, more sustainable future.