Let's respect this great playground
The Mont-Blanc Massif is actually a fragile natural environment to which we must pay great attention. To contribute to the protection of it, we are counting on the engagement of each person. We have the duty of doing all that we can to limit our impact to the minimum.
As the organiser, the UTMB® has developed numerous actions to protect the natural environment and to raise awareness amongst all the players. This is a collective action which involves the organisation, regional groups, runners and supporters, partners and volunteers( Ambassadors for the Environment).
We, ourselves, have formed a Commission for the Environment which guides the projects and we set ourselves ambitious environmental objectives. We are always looking for ways of progressing in this domain and incite everybody to adopt an ecologically responsible attitude.
Limit our waste
No more plastic at the refreshment posts
To reduce consumption of plastic, both by runners and UTMB® volunteers, and therefore limit your carbon footprint and your waste production, the organization will not distribute any more disposable crockery (cutlery, beakers, bowls) at the life bases and the refreshment posts (this is the same for the volunteers). This action called " Bring Your Own Utensils " (BYOU) was inaugurated at the Vibram Hong Kong 100 in January 2018. You are, therefore, invited to bring you own utensils if you wish to eat hot food at the refreshment posts.
Sodastream
In 2019, in order to offer an ever more eco-responsible event, the UTMB® reduced the number of plastic bottles on the supplies.
To achieve this objective, 50% of the supplies were equipped with SODASTREAM sparkling water production machines.
In Les Chapieux, on the UTMB®, and in Les Contamines on the TDS®, a test supply of sparkling water and cola production has even been tested.
Thanks to this innovation, the UTMB® has eliminated 4000 plastic bottles from the supplies, which represents a 30% reduction.
This test system has proved positive, and from 2020, SODASTREAM machines will be installed in almost all refuelling stations."
Responsible purchases
We give priority to services and products which are derived from the Espace Mont-Blanc, to avoid unnecessary transportation and to involve local players.
The refreshment posts provide regional products, and certain of them are organically produced.
In a country where spring water is abundant, we prioritize this resource which economizes on the use of 8000 plastic bottles and their transportation.
Waste management
Each UTMB® volunteer has been made aware of sorting waste, and everything is done to recycle any waste.
- The UTMB® uses the services of specialists in this domain from the local region:
AREMACS: the association which manages waste, and the sorting of it, in Chamonix. - Elise Alpes: which specializes in collecting and sorting, it recuperates the plastic beakers which we collect from the first refreshment posts of each race (the flow of runners is too great and very concentrated) so that they can be recycled in to protheses or small electrical goods.
Individual beaker
To reduce waste, the UTMB® has, since 2006, included a reusable beaker into the list of mandatory equipment.
Transporting your waste
Small trash bags are distributed at race-bib distribution, they are for containing used toilet paper and other soiled trash like open gel containers, or film which has contained food.
Prioritize the use of rechargeable batteries and if that is not possible, do not abandon used batteries ! special containers are at your disposition at the refreshment posts.
We ask each trail-runner to keep their waste with them between refreshment posts, fruit skins included. You will find trash bins at each refreshment post for waste disposal. When leaving the post you will find, about 100m after the post, the last trash bin (marked with a sign).
The results of our efforts
- 60m3 of waste collected and sorted in Chamonix
- 100 000 disposable beakers less
- 25% of rubbish: soiled paper
- 55% non-organic food waste
- Cleaning the integrality of the Mont-Blanc Tour before and after every race.
- Over 1500L of bio-waste recycled