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The Great Run Company
2025 Environmental Report
Waste
Energy from Waste (Incineration) 42.5 tonnes (51.2%) Context: This remains the primary disposal route for general mixed waste where on-site segregation is operationally restricted, particularly at the largest events (GNR).
Re-use (Clothing & Shoes) 28.7 tonnes (28.2%)
Operational Metrics: The Physical Reality Excluding office operations, the total mass of waste generated across our event portfolio was 82.9 tonnes. While the carbon impact of disposal is low, the operational challenge of managing this volume is high. Disposal Routes and Diversion We achieved a 39% Diversion Rate (Recycling + Re-use) across our events. The data reveals that Energy from Waste is currently the primary disposal route by volume.
The “Carbon Paradox” - Readers may observe the carbon footprint for waste appears disproportionately low compared to the physical volume of rubbish generated at a major event. This is a result of GHG Protocol accounting rules: Category 5 (Waste): This figure strictly captures the emissions from the disposal process - specifically the transport of waste (bin lorries) and the energy used at recycling or incineration plants. Category 1 (The Hidden Impact): The massive “embodied carbon” of producing the items that become waste (plastic bottles, food packaging, paper) is accounted for upstream in the Purchased Goods category. Therefore, while the disposal footprint is low, the material impact is significant and captured elsewhere.
Success Story: This figure represents a massive social benefit. It reflects over 10 tonnes of clothing rescued
from start lines and donated to charity partners, rather than becoming textile waste.
Recycling 21.9 tonnes (26.4%)
Landfill 7.8 tonnes (7.6%)
Success Story: Closed-Loop Systems A standout achievement occurred at the Great North Run, where 12 tonnes of rPET bottles were successfully separated at source. This segregation allowed the material to be sent for closed-loop recycling, ensuring it can be re-manufactured into new bottles rather than down-cycled or incinerated.
Context: This stream was confined to specific geographic locations (Great South Run & Great Manchester Run) where local diversion infrastructure was limited. It also includes where landfill was applied as the default factor when no waste treatment breakdowns were provided.
Average Waste per Participant (Carbon): 0.024 kgCO2e
Total Footprint
4.07 tCO2e
Average Waste per Participant (Volume):
0.60 kg
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