Spokane, WAâAfter months of planning, Bloomsday officials have finalized plans to compost as many as half a million cups that are typically discarded along the course. If successful, that composting would put a big dent in the nearly 10 tons of trash that are typically generated during the run each year.
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âSince announcing our âGetting Greenerâ initiative in February, weâve worked with Spokane City officials and Waste Management representatives to do something that as far as we know no other large running event has been able to do, compost hundreds of thousands of water cups,â said Bloomsday Board Member Steve Jones, who is spearheading Bloomsdayâs green initiative. âThatâs the biggest and most visible part of our effort this year to reduce, reuse and recycle.â
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Along with the composting of water cups, Bloomsdayâs âGetting Greenerâ initiative has included:
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While all parts of the âGetting Greenerâ initiative are important, itâs the composting of cups that Bloomsday organizers have devoted the most attention to. Earlier this spring the ability to compost the cups was in question, but thanks to the cooperation and hard work of folks with the City of Spokane, Waste Management and Royal Organic Products, Bloomsday has been able to develop a âtestâ program to keep the cups out of the waste stream. If successful, Bloomsday cups will eventually end up in gardens throughout the Inland Northwest.
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âThese efforts may be quite timely,â said Jones, âgiven the fact that we have an increase of about 3,000 entrants this year.â
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While the âGetting Greenerâ initiative is a new emphasis for Bloomsday, it builds upon environmental successes the event has enjoyed for many years. In past years over 70% of participants have taken advantage of online registration, 25% have traveled to and from the start via STA Shuttles and hundreds of cyclists have taken advantage of the Spokane Bicycle Clubâs Bike Corral. âGetting Greenerâ is a way to expand on these successes, and the initiative will remain in Bloomsday organizersâ focus for years to come.
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For those who havenât already signup up for this yearâs Lilac Bloomsday Run, late registration will be available for $30.00 at the Convention Center on Friday and Saturday of Bloomsday weekend.
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