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dataJanuary 18th, 2012

TriSports.com goes solar

dataPosted by Bruce in Ecoathlete, Green Team, News

FitPlanet has been a big fan of TriSports.com for its commitment to greening its own race, the Deuces Wild Triathlon. The race earned Silver certification to the Council for Responsible Sport standard and has taken the FitPlanet Pledge of Sustainability for the past few years. So this announcement is a logical step in the company’s expanded commitment to environmental sustainability.

Tucson, AZ- January 13, 2012: TriSports.com, Tucson’s very own triathlon, cycling, running and swimming gear shop, is now generating up to 100% of their electricity from solar power. The 128 kW solar electric (photovoltaic) system, designed and installed by Technicians for Sustainability, consists of two solar arrays mounted on custom built steel shade structures and a third array mounted on their roof. The panels will produce over 19,000 kWh per month which has the potential to cover all of the electricity the business uses. TriSports.com is the first triathlon shop to get even close to generating 100% of its electricity from solar power in the United States: they’re winning the race for sustainability.
The addition of this solar system at TriSports.com reaffirms the company’s dedication to sustainable practices. The 128 kW solar system saves 18,560 lbs of coal from being burned each month and 41,400 lbs of CO2 from entering the atmosphere. Perhaps most importantly, the TriSports.com solar array will save approximately 9,280 gal of water each month as compared to traditional electricity generation. This fact is often overlooked but is extremely significant in the Sonoran Desert where we live.
Sustainability has always been a goal of TriSports.com and solar is just the latest addition to a larger integration of sustainable practices. Seton Claggett, CEO of TriSports.com, shared this, “Three years ago I told our staff and our vendors that we would be on solar within the next 5 years, and here we are. This is a large investment for us but it is the right thing to do for our environment, our staff, our customers, our vendors and for our future generations.” TriSports.com has two large rainwater cisterns that collect and store up to 36,000 gallons of water at a time, which is then used to irrigate the landscaping. The company also made the switch to energy efficient lighting with their latest renovations, which significantly reduces their electricity consumption.
Not only was installing their solar system an environmentally-conscious decision, but it also makes sense from a financial standpoint. The TriSports.com system will offer a four and a half year payback period, a 10% rate of return, and for the first twenty years the solar system will save the company over $467,000.
Bruce Plenk, the City of Tucson’s Solar Coordinator, congratulates TriSports.com on their new solar system. “I am impressed with the foresight and leadership of Tucson businesses like TriSports.com who have chosen to be leaders in installing solar using their sunny rooftops as well as their parking areas to generate electricity, reduce our urban heat island and save their business money. This is a wonderful example that I hope other Tucson businesses will see and follow. Thanks to TriSports.com for showing the way to a solar future in our Solar America City!”
Tucson, AZ- January 13, 2012: TriSports.com, Tucson’s very own triathlon, cycling, running and swimming gear shop, is now generating up to 100% of their electricity from solar power. The 128 kW solar electric (photovoltaic) system, designed and installed by Technicians for Sustainability, consists of two solar arrays mounted on custom built steel shade structures and a third array mounted on their roof. The panels will produce over 19,000 kWh per month which has the potential to cover all of the electricity the business uses. TriSports.com is the first triathlon shop to get even close to generating 100% of its electricity from solar power in the United States: they’re winning the race for sustainability.
The addition of this solar system at TriSports.com reaffirms the company’s dedication to sustainable practices. The 128 kW solar system saves 18,560 lbs of coal from being burned each month and 41,400 lbs of CO2 from entering the atmosphere. Perhaps most importantly, the TriSports.com solar array will save approximately 9,280 gal of water each month as compared to traditional electricity generation. This fact is often overlooked but is extremely significant in the Sonoran Desert where we live.
Sustainability has always been a goal of TriSports.com and solar is just the latest addition to a larger integration of sustainable practices. Seton Claggett, CEO of TriSports.com, shared this, “Three years ago I told our staff and our vendors that we would be on solar within the next 5 years, and here we are. This is a large investment for us but it is the right thing to do for our environment, our staff, our customers, our vendors and for our future generations.” TriSports.com has two large rainwater cisterns that collect and store up to 36,000 gallons of water at a time, which is then used to irrigate the landscaping. The company also made the switch to energy efficient lighting with their latest renovations, which significantly reduces their electricity consumption.
Not only was installing their solar system an environmentally-conscious decision, but it also makes sense from a financial standpoint. The TriSports.com system will offer a four and a half year payback period, a 10% rate of return, and for the first twenty years the solar system will save the company over $467,000.
Bruce Plenk, the City of Tucson’s Solar Coordinator, congratulates TriSports.com on their new solar system. “I am impressed with the foresight and leadership of Tucson businesses like TriSports.com who have chosen to be leaders in installing solar using their sunny rooftops as well as their parking areas to generate electricity, reduce our urban heat island and save their business money. This is a wonderful example that I hope other Tucson businesses will see and follow. Thanks to TriSports.com for showing the way to a solar future in our Solar America City!”

dataJanuary 18th, 2012

De Soto takes steps to ‘green’ its triathlon wetsuits

dataPosted by Bruce in Ecoathlete, Green Team, News

FitPlanet tips it’s hat to De Soto for the announcement of its GreenGoma wetsuit. This is a significant step forward in the evolution of triathlon wetsuits. But perhaps the real meaning of the announcement is that it will raise awareness within the triathlon community about the materials we use to enjoy our sport. So much of what we wear is petroleum based. This has to change.

Here’s the De Soto release from January 3, 2012…

De Soto becomes the first triathlon company to offer an alternative to petroleum-based wetsuits.

San Diego, California – Until recently all triathlon wetsuits have been made of petroleum. First in the industry to introduce limestone rubber into triathlon wetsuits, all T1 Wetsuits incorporate this amazing GreenGoma™ technology.

GreenGoma™ rubber offers better stretch, buoyancy, durability, and insulation with a more closed-cell injected construction thus making it 98.9% water impermeable. So it is lighter, it dries quicker, and lasts longer. The only part of the rubber that gets wet is the new stretch liner that is now made of recycled post consumer products.

Is this rubber environmentally friendly? Is it a “green” wetsuit?

“We have seamlessly replaced one rubber with another that is better. It is more buoyant, it helps you swim faster, and it lasts longer. If nothing else were to change, we are selling a better-performing product with less detriment to the environment, which is always our goal,” says company founder, Emilio De Soto.

“This news has been months in the making and it is exciting to finally be able to announce it. It is very timely given the new year and our ongoing changes at our company to become more socially responsible, but lets be realistic. Both petroleum and limestone are nonrenewable resources and expend pollution and waste to refine into a finished product. So for anyone to claim that a limestone wetsuit is ‘green’ is just not true, at least not yet. The idea of trying to create a greener wetsuit has inspired us to change to recycled interior fabrics with no VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) dyes and adhesives. We are currently working with YKK to develop a wetsuit zipper made of recycled plastic bottles. For now, the most obvious form of sustainability is simply that we have created a wetsuit that will perform better and last longer. We feel this is a great beginning. Before any of us can swim 2.4 miles, we first need to get across the length of a pool. When it comes to making a greener triathlon wetsuit, we are the first to dive in.”

And here’s some additional information about ‘green’ surfing wetsuits from Patagonia. Another innovative company.

dataSeptember 10th, 2010

Cups, Cups everywhere

dataPosted by Bruce in Green Team, MCM Green Team

By MCM Green Team Member Allison Lassoe

One of the classic images of a marathon is a water soaked street plastered with crushed cups. It is easy to do the math 25 water stops X 35,000 runners = 875,000 cups all used for a few sips of water.

I have used, crumpled, and tossed more than my share of cups in 38 marathon and countless other races. For a number of years and races I have made a decision to carry a hydration pack first because I found I could not drink enough in small sips at aid stations, second to guarantee that I have the sport drink of my choice and third I feel better about using about half the cups I would otherwise use.

I have typically taken a water cup at every other aid station, but I can usually only manage a few small sips, but my stomach does appreciate the mix of sports drinks and water.

For the Marine Corp Marathon I will be using a hydration pack as much as possible. On an average marathon I guess I drink 70 ounces of water and sports drink. I may need to stop a couple of times to fill up but each refill should only take a minute or two, not much different than a little walk break. But I already know that I save more time by carrying my own drinks and not having to weave in and out at every aid stations. It is nice to think about a marathon not being associated with aid stations of spilled water and a litter of cups.

I am really excited to know about all the Marine Corp Marathon is doing to reduce and recycle waste. The MCM reduced waste by 32% in one year. Now, if only I could do the same with my time.

Have your own ideas about reducing cup and water waste on the race course? Comment below.

dataAugust 23rd, 2010

Meet MCM Green Team Runner Allison Lassoe

dataPosted by Bruce in Ecoathlete, Green Team, MCM Green Team, News

I am very excited to be part of the MCM Green Team Challenge. Although I am always trying to be “green” sometimes the excitement of a marathon takes me out of my best green routine. For the 2010 Marine Corp Marathon I am ready to go for a “Green PR”.

My personal environmental initiatives involve bicycling for transportation as much as possible. Even though I live in a rural part of the Berkshires in Western Massachusetts I can go for a week without driving my car. I do all the easy green things like recycle and use compact florescent light blubs. I had an energy audit of my house, which inspired me to get a more energy efficient refrigerator cutting my energy use by a third. I also hang my clothes outside to dry all year long and I carry a reusable water bottle to fill up when needed.

Recently I donated all my marathon metals to Medals4Mettle. It was harder than I thought to part with them, but it felt good to know they were going to people who have struggles that they overcome on a daily basis and don’t get medals. When a race has a shoe recycling program I make a point of bringing in my old shoes. Again these are simple things runners can think about doing.

When I train I never drive my car to run or to bike. I have run over 37 marathons and that has upped my carbon footprint. Although I would love to run in more places I have tried to limit the number of plane trips I take to marathons. To travel to the MCM I will be biking, taking trains, or other public transportation.

When running I always carry a hydration pack, and supplement with some water cups on the course. But for MCM I will only be using a hydration pack and refilling as needed.

As I mentioned I have run 37 marathons to date and have more planned before the end of October. I ran my first marathon in 2002, but in the past two years I have run a marathon a month, with the goal of having a Boston Qualifying time as often as possible, I think I have run 21 qualifying races. I am also trying to run marathons I have not run before. Luckily there are a lot of great choices within driving distance.

I have found that only running three days a week and cross training three days has made me a stronger runner and less prone to injuries. I follow the FIRST Train Plan. Also getting to bike three days a week allows me to run errands on my bike while getting in a workout.

I am a proud member of the Marathon Maniacs and have enjoyed being part of a great running community. Running a marathon is a great achievement and the Marine Corp Marathon, being the “People’s Marathon,” is certainly a marathon highlight for anyone.

I am proud to be representing all runners who strive to be green in life and in races and having the MCM focus on green running will make it an even better experience for everyone (and the planet).

Thinking about being “green” is like thinking about running a marathon, you should not think “how am I going to stop global warming?” the same way you don’t think “how can I run 26.2 miles?”

You start training to run a marathon by getting out of the house for a 10 minute walk and you start being more environmentally active by using one compact florescent light blub. When you realize the first step doable then focus on the second step and one day you are leaving less of a carbon footprint and crossing under the finish banner.

dataAugust 3rd, 2010

Take the Marine Corps Marathon Green Team Challenge

dataPosted by Bruce in Green Team, MCM Green Team, News

FitPlanet Joins MCM Offering Two Free Entries to 2010 MCM as the Green Team

Here’s the press release the Marine Corps Marathon issued on Monday, August 2…
QUANTICO, VA (August 2, 2010) – The Marine Corps Marathon (MCM) and Athletes for a FitPlanet announced today the first-ever MCM Green Team Challenge. Runners are invited to enter the challenge to win the opportunity to run the 35th MCM to become the MCM Green Team.

Together, the MCM and FitPlanet are encouraging runners to share the responsibility and commitment to the environment by running green. Runners can submit a green plan by entering the contest through www.marinemarathon.com. All entries must detail a green plan for the most sustainable practices during training and participation at the 35th MCM on Oct. 31, 2010 in Arlington, VA.

The contest will be held from Aug. 2 to Aug. 15, 2010. A team of eco-judges will evaluate each green plan and chose two winners who best demonstrate how they can implement the most sustainable practices while participating in the MCM. Winners will be announced on the MCM and FitPlanet websites on Wednesday, Aug. 18.

The winning “green” plan will be posted on the FitPlanet Green Team webpage blog where each 2010 MCM Green Team winner will detail their overall MCM green experiences.

The two winners will each receive a pair of Brooks Green Silence running shoes, a performance shoe made from recycled and other earth-friendly components. Other prizes include a tote made from MCM recycled finish-line banners by Prior Life and several other items from sponsors such as Dasani.

Together, MCM and FitPlanet aim to implement environmental practices to conserve natural resources and reduce waste, as well as set a good example for the participants, fans and communities where MCM events are held.

“The ultimate goal of this promotion is to increase awareness and demonstrate how runners can positively support event environmental initiatives through planned sustainable efforts,” said Marc Goldman, MCM Sponsorship/Marketing Manager.

The Green Team Challenge is an extension of the MCM’s environmental outreach that was awarded by the Council for Responsible Sport in 2009. MCM received silver-level certification becoming the largest event to date to earn this distinction.