DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon Once Again Named a “Zero Waste” Event

November 15, 2023

The 2023 event successfully diverted 91 percent of the event’s waste from the landfill

PITTSBURGH, PA (Nov. 15, 2023) – For the seventh time, the DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Weekend of Events was named a “zero waste” event with 91 percent of the event’s waste diverted from landfills in 2023. P3R, along with the help of community partners, successfully recycled, reused or composted approximately 8.45 tons of waste generated by the event this year that would have otherwise gone to the landfill.

“P3R is committed to producing environmentally conscious sporting events each and every year,” said P3R CEO Troy Schooley. “With the size of our events, this can be a challenge, but one that P3R is tackling with a comprehensive approach to ‘greening’ the race and promoting sustainability.”

Xylem Inc., a leading global water technology company, was the official sustainability partner of the 2023 DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon Weekend of Events and helped P3R achieve its sustainability initiatives for the event, which hosted more than 35,000 participants, 4,000 volunteers and 300,000 spectators.

“Marathons have the power to unite people around a common goal, but like many large-scale sporting events, they can have a significant environmental impact. We are proud to partner with P3R to demonstrate what’s possible for the future of sustainable races and sporting events,” said Austin Alexander, Vice President of Sustainability and Social Impact at Xylem.

For more than a decade, P3R has partnered with the Pennsylvania Resource Council to create a comprehensive sustainability plan that runs from the start line through the finish line festival to collect and sort as much material as possible that is reusable, compostable, or recyclable. Together their efforts have paid off, and since 2015, the Pittsburgh Marathon has been considered a “zero waste” event with 90 percent or more of waste diverted from the landfill.

“Not only was this year’s race a ‘zero waste’ event, but it also had a significant overall decrease in waste as compared to the 2019 and 2022 events,” said Chesapeake First, PRC Zero Waste Events Coordinator. “Decreasing overall waste while maintaining a high diversion rate and seeing an increase in event participants is a laudable goal that P3R should be proud of!”

For more information about the DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon Weekend of Events, visit www.thePittsburghMarathon.com.

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About the DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon Weekend of Events

The Pittsburgh Marathon was held annually from 1985-2003. After a five-year hiatus, the DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon was relaunched in 2009 and debuted with a sold-out field of 10,000 participants. It has grown each year since, evolving from a single race day into a weekend of events for the whole family that annually attracts nearly 40,000 runners. Read more at: ThePittsburghMarathon.com

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About P3R

P3R is the region’s go-to premier sporting event and experience expert. While best known for the annual DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon, P3R organizes up to 20 major events every year. With a rich history of working with top-tier clients such as the Pittsburgh Steelers, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, the Pittsburgh Penguins, the National Senior Games, and more, P3R brings operational excellence to every aspect of event planning and execution. As part of P3R’s non-profit mission to inspire any and all to MOVE with us, we provide premium event experiences and robust programming – including the Run for a Reason Charity Program, award-winning Kids of STEEL program, Pittsburgh Corporate Challenge, RUN Varsity, and more – that engage everyone in the Western Pennsylvania community and beyond.

Kelsey Emch, P3R PR Specialist kelsey.emch@p3r.org or 417-425-9400

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