First Time Ever in Kazakhstan: Astana Half Marathon Uses Recyclable Cups

On 7 June, Astana hosted the fifth-anniversary Astana Half Marathon organised by “Courage to be the First” Corporate Fund. This year the race has united 7,000 people from more than 30 countries all around the world and become a platform for implementation of new environmental solutions. It was the first time for the mass running event in Kazakhstan to use recyclable cups that will be sent for recycling after the event.

The Astana Half Marathon is the largest running event in the capital city. Along with the sports program, the organisers gave their special consideration to reducing the environmental footprint of the event. These solutions have become a part of the systematic work conducted by the Fund aimed at developing the sustainable techniques to hold mass and popular events and supported the ideas of Taza Qazaqstan Initiative focused on environmental friendliness.

Separate waste collection points were arranged and eco zones with interactive activities were functioning along the route and in the start/finish area, and the recyclable material collected was transferred for recycling supported by EСO Network.

One of the key environmental initiatives has become disposable cups made of 100% recyclable PET 1 plastic. They were used along the entire distance of the half marathon and when the race finished, the cups were collected for further recycling. As the organisers report, such technique was implemented during a mass running event in Kazakhstan for the first time ever.

“We are systematic to implement environmental techniques in our races. Since 2019, in Almaty, the participants have been able to bring the recyclable material for recycling, and the eco-volunteers help sorting it on site. This year, we expanded the initiative in Astana. To us, using recyclable cups during the Astana Half Marathon has become a logical next step in developing the sustainable approach towards mass sporting event organisation,” notes Saltanat Kazybayeva, Executive Director of “Courage to be the First” Corporate Fund.

The environmental innovations in holding the Astana Half Marathon have also been noted by Yevgeniy Muzhamedzhanov, Founder of EСO Network.

“The Astana Half Marathon becomes not only a sporting but an environmental event for the city. This year we made an important step – we introduced 100% recyclable plastic cups. Such practice helps reduce the amount of waste after mass events and shows that eco-friendly solutions can be a part of large sporting events. We find it really important that the participants could see how such initiatives form a new culture of a responsible attitude toward the urban environment,” said Yevgeniy Muzhamedzhanov.

It should be noted that the Astana Half Marathon hosted 7,000 people and 243 of them were foreigner-runners from more than 30 countries. The majority was the athletes representing Russia – 91 people, Uzbekistan – 28 people, and the USA – 17 people. The starting line was also toed by the participants from China – 15 people, Kyrgyzstan – 14 people, France – 11 people, South Korea – 6 people, Great Britain – 6 people, Poland – 5 people, and Germany – 5 people. The participants came from countries across Asia, Europe, North and South America, Africa, the Middle East, and Oceania.

The half marathon route ran through signature locations of the capital city: from the Independence Square, over the bridges Arkhar and Syganak - Mangilik Yel offering spectacular views over the Akorda and the Yessil river bank, then it passed Baiterek, Abu Dhabi Plaza and EXPO. Such course made it possible for the participants to see Astana from the other side.

Let us remind you that on 19  April the Almaty Half Marathon took place, and it collected a record breaking amount of recyclable material – 786.45 kg. Given for recycling were: paper and cardboard – 652.75 kg, plastic – 117 kg, aluminium – 5.6 kg, and film – 11.1 kg. It is almost 0.8 tonnes of the waste not delivered to the land fill.

According to estimates provided by the partners, recycling this volume of recyclable materials will help save more than 6 trees, conserve over 13,000 litters of water, reduce CO₂ emissions by more than 1,100 kg, and save approximately 730 kWh of electricity and nearly 400 litters of oil.

Registration remains open for the 15^th Almaty Marathon, which marks the event’s anniversary. A special guest of this event will be a Japanese runner Yuki Kawauchi, the winner of the Boston Marathon.

The Astana Half Marathon is supported by Astana City Akimat.

The Astana Half Marathon general partner: Halyk Bank