Sustainability at the United Airlines NYC Half
As thousands of runners get ready to hit the streets of New York City at the United Airlines NYC Half, NYRR will be rolling out several sustainability initiatives during race week and on race day. We are committed to minimizing the environmental impact of our events and facilities and work hard to embed sustainability in all that we do. New York Road Runners also commits to net zero emissions by 2040 and to be a leader in sports sustainability.
During Race Week
- Join the 2024 United Airlines NYC Half Plogging Event with NYRR coaches, staff, and environmental activist Tina Muir on Saturday, March 16 at 1:15 p.m. from the NYRR RUNCENTER featuring the New Balance Run Hub. The event is free and open to the public! Sign up here.
- Learn all about our recycled medals when you visit the United Airlines NYC Half Experience Presented by New Balance at Center415 in Manhattan.
- There will also be digital screens highlighting race-day sustainability facts at the Experience.
On Race Day
- The four pace cars for the race will be fully electric Volvo XC40 Recharge vehicles and the two support cars will be Volvo plug-in hybrid XC90 Recharge vehicles.
- The 25,000+ finisher medals are made in the U.S.A. from 100% recycled steel and for the first time ever, the finisher medal ribbons are made from PET recycled material.
- Discarded runner clothing at the start area will be collected and donated to All of Us Clothing. Last year, 26,500 pounds of clothing from the United Airlines NYC Half was donated.
- Green Team volunteers will be stationed at five Waste Diversion Stations sorting waste into separate categories (recycling, compost, heat sheets, and waste).
- Leftover food and recovery bags will be donated to City Harvest. Last year, 8,000 pounds of food from the 2023 United Airlines NYC Half was donated.
- Gatorade and water cups will be composted at a compost farm in upstate New York.