Beth Runs!

After sitting on my butt all winter, knitting and watching Craig Ferguson into the wee hours, it's time to get up, get out, and move!!!

Tuesday, August 07, 2007

Eco-Running: Leaving the route better than you found it.

Readers of this blog may or may not know that I recently developed a new obsession: plastic and its effects on the environment. I've been blogging non-stop at http://www.fakeplasticfish.com and not so much over here. Happily, I've found a way to combine both subjects: running and plastic.

26-year old Samuel Huber started what he calls "eco-running" as a way to help the world while out doing his favorite thing, running. On his eco-runs, he carries a few small garbage bags and picks up litter all along the route. Recently, he has made the switch to biodegradable, compostable BioBags. Check out his web site and mention of BioBags and my blog, Fake Plastic Fish, at http://eco-runner.blogspot.com. I want to not only commend him for his efforts but join in the eco-running movement he's trying to start.

So, this morning, BioBag in hand and latex gloved, I did a 30-minute eco-run towards Berkeley and back. My bag was full within the first 12 minutes, and I found I needed to stop picking up big things and concentrate on the items that, if washed down a storm drain, could end up inside the bellies of marine animals: bottle caps, small toys, a comb, a pacifier, plastic bags, even a rubber glove.

Stopping to pick up garbage slowed me down a bit (my average pace was 11:20/mile) and actually got me out of competition mode, the mode I tend to be in while recording my stats with the Nike+ iPod. You know, I'll bet running would be a lot more fun if I gave up the Nike+. But I don't know. The accountant in me wants all numbers all the time! Chi Running's Danny Dreyer recommends leaving the watch at home. Maybe I'll try it once a week on my eco-runs.

And yes, if you're wondering, it was a little weird passing people as I ran carrying a garbage bag and wearing a latex glove. But at this point in life, I'm pretty much over caring about how I seem to other people. (Actually, I think I stopped caring by the end of high school, but that's a story for another day and another blog.)

Speaking of latex gloves, does anyone know whether modern latex gloves are made from natural rubber or some kind of petroleum-based synthetic? According to this web site, they are made from rubber. But are all of them? (Here's a cool video about how latex is made.)

So, what to do with all the trash I collected? My plan is to retrieve the hard plastic bottle caps and other pieces of plastic, wash them off, and add them to my collection. I have this idea that I'll use them in some kind of weird art creature thing some day. Then, any recyclable items will go in their proper recycling bins, and I'll tie up the bag around the rest and put it in the garbage can. I may be saving 100% of my own plastic waste, but I'm not about to start hording other people's.
 

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3 Comments:

Blogger Tom said...

Hi Beth. I enjoyed this post and admire your eco-running approach. So what it might feel strange, what a great idea to do something with what you're collecting. I also took a peek at your garden blog. I love gardening and like what you're doing with your rooftop space. I'm from Iowa and have plenty of garden space for roses, flowers, shrubs, trees, vegies in some of the most fertile earth. Anyway, nice to ready your post and I look forward to reading you regularly. Keep up the great eco running and posting.

Tom

6:30 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

HI Beth!
My name is also Beth and I really enjoyed reading about your eco running experience. I am a runner and love what you are doing.
Thanks for being an inspiration!
Beth-Salem, Oregon

9:40 PM  
Blogger Lawrence said...

Hi Beth, I combine jogging and recycling. For years, I've picked up aluminum cans as I jogged, sometimes even counting them and adding those totals to my runner's log, when I kept such a thing -- sometimes 20-30 per run, as many as I could hold, flattened or crushed. I have picked up many thousands over the years.

Now, I just pick up cans (mostly) and sometimes a few plastic bottles as I jog and put them in the recycling, no counting.

Simplify, simplify.

7:47 AM  

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