The Delta Gymntastics Society hosts the annual Delta Invitational and Cash and Carry Cup. The event was hosted at the Richmond Olympic Oval Friday, May 4 – Sunday, May 6, 2018, and included close to 1,300 athletes, 250 officials and over 4,000 spectators.
A wide-range of skill levels were showcased with recreational to national-level competitors, although that’s not the main focus. “This event was designed to promote and encourage the growth of gymnastics as the foundation for a lifetime of physical activity” says Ana Arciniega, Executive Director of Delta Gymnastics.
But that’s not all.
The event values sustainable practices and is “… committed to fostering positive environmental, social, and economic impacts for current and future generations within the local community”.
The organizing committee proudly supports sustainable event practices that promote environmentally-friendly options. The Richmond Olympic Oval, by applying partnerships through the Richmond Sustainable Events program, supported this vision. Together, the event employed seven simple sustainable options:
- Reduce Waste & Recycle – Using multiple waste containers provided by the Richmond Oval, and encouraging all attendees and spectators to correctly dispose of their items by separating recyclables, compost and waste.
- Go Paperless – Eliminating printed materials wherever possible. All volunteer registration is completed electronically, and all communications from the event organizer is done via email. When score sheets are mandatory to be printed for judging, they are utilized by printing double-sided, and all sponsor advertising is displayed on large screens or social media.
- Support Sustainable Accommodation – The event aligned with a host hotel that promotes sustainable practices. In this case, organizers opted for one of several hotels within walking distance the Richmond Olympic Oval (the Executive Hotel). Travelling participants are encouraged to walk from their accommodation and local gymnasts are encouraged to carpool or take public transit. The Executive Hotel also promotes sustainable and responsible practises.
- Opt for Reusable Items – All glassware and cutlery in the hospitality rooms for volunteers, officials and staff are rented from Bayshore Rentals to eliminate disposable cups and plastic utensils.
- Smart Food Choices – Food is bought in bulk as much as possible to reduce packaging, and local suppliers are also used where possible.
- Like-Minded Vendors – Catering provided by the O Café offers compostable cutlery and plates which are disposed of accordingly.
- Smart Water Choices – Not even the water is overlooked in the planning process, this is the third year the event has been disposable water bottle-free, providing hydration stations from the Richmond Oval for reusable water bottles to be filled-up, along with Santevia Water System’s who supplies pitchers of water for the judge’s table.
Here are some tips for other event organizers to create a more sustainable event:
Connect with Like-Minded People
Seek out vendors who practice sustainable options and hold them accountable through their contract. Don’t forget all vendors matter, think of the host hotel, food suppliers, medal suppliers, merchandise vendors, event rentals and venue.
Set a Precedent
It takes one time for participants to adjust to new ways, such as brining their own water bottles. Answer their questions and back up your answers with your value of sustainability. Once the second-time rolls around people will be expecting those practices and participants have even apologized for forgetting their re-useable water bottles says Ana. In the future, the Delta Invitational and Cash and Carry Cup hopes to eliminate vendors from using plastic bags and have them provide paper bags or encourage personal bags.
Make the Switch
Composting is an easy win; all participants should be able to source materials that are compostable, re-useable or recyclable. No styrofoam, plastic cutlery, bags, cups, straws or stir sticks are necessary. Venues such at the Richmond Olympic Oval make it easy to ditch the plastic disposable water bottles with their water bottle filing stations provided at no cost. Also, utilizing resources such as the City of Richmond’s portable drinking fountains are available for rent when your venue does not meet your needs.
Communicate, Communicate
Communicate ahead of time your values and expectations to athletes, spectators, staff and volunteers through the event website and newsletters. Keep communicating to bring your own re-useable water bottles, bags, coffee mugs and more, and people will be get into the swing of things.
For more information on how you can be a sustainable leader like the Delta Gymnastics Society, check out the free 7-Step Quick Guide or the Richmond Sustainable Event Toolkit, a partnership from the City of Richmond, Richmond Olympic Oval and Académie Internationale des Sciences et Techniques du Sport (AISTS).
