Borealis and EREMA implement circular economy concept for recyclable drinking cups at the 19th Oberbank Linz Danube Marathon
For 2020, the organizers of the Linz Marathon have set the goal of "Zero Waste," which also includes the recycling and reuse of drinking cups.
At the Linz Marathon, around 220,000 plastic cups are used for drinks each year, primarily at refreshment stands. 12,960 liters of Iso Fit, 15,000 liters of Gasteiner mineral water, 3,000 liters of Spar Fresh Cola, 5,240 liters of beer and 3,520 liters of Zipfer Hops are consumed by the approximately 20,000 runners each year. The used cups are collected and disposed of by Linz AG after the running event. This procedure is now to be replaced by a new, more sustainable concept developed by the project partners Borealis, a leading supplier of innovative solutions in the fields of polyolefins, basic chemicals and plant nutrients, and EREMA, global market leader in the development and production of plastic recycling systems
Sustainable circular economy solutions from Borealis.
"As part of our joint project with EREMA at the Linz Marathon, we are demonstrating that drinking cups at sporting events can not only be reused, but also recycled. This is made possible by our collaborations along the entire value chain, all the way to the end consumer who decides on success. EverMinds™ is the umbrella brand of Borealis' commitment to further drive the circular economy with customers and partners. The project with EREMA is a good example and contributes significantly to demonstrating the value of plastic solutions for society in the context of the circular economy," says DI Rudolf Wölfer, Head of Innovation Headquarters, Borealis Linz.
"Many of our employees have been taking part in a wide variety of running competitions for years. We are pleased to be able to work with Borealis to implement a sustainable circular economy concept for the Linz Marathon. In this way, we also want to make clear to the many runners and spectators the value of plastic waste as an important resource for the manufacture of new high-quality products," says DI Manfred Hackl, CEO of the internationally active Erema Group. The disposable cups collected along the running course are recycled at EREMA and 100 percent reused. "The recycled material is either made into cups again or into other products that are needed at such sporting events, for example medals, timing chips or similar," explains Hackl.
"Zero Waste" for Linz Marathon 2020
Along the entire marathon running course, appropriately marked collection points for the cups will be set up immediately after the aid stations. Runners will thus be able to throw in their cups, which will be collected in large collection nets, directly as they pass by. "Waste teams" from Borealis and EREMA will further ensure that all other cups are collected.
"So that we can motivate the participants* accordingly to throw the cups into the collection containers and prepare them for the new concept, a prototype of the collection point and a demonstration video will be presented at the marathon fair," says marathon coordinator Günther Weidlinger.
"The disposable cups from the lab stations will be recycled and turned into new cups or products. Thanks to our project partners Borealis and EREMA, we are thus jointly ensuring that the approximately 220,000 cups do not end up as plastic waste," says Weidlinger.
