Green Your Sports Event

The Eugene, Cascades & Coast region prides itself in its commitment to sustainable principles, and our sports events are no exception. Whether you're planning a national championship or a community fun run, we have the tools and the experience to help you plan a greener event.

In 2012, the Council for Responsible Sport (CRS) certified the U.S. Olympic Trials - Track & Field in Eugene, OR as gold level. Four years earlier, the CRS used the Eugene-hosted 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials - Track & Field as a case study (PDF) for sustainable sports events. That same year the trials were honored with the International Olympic Commitee's prestigious Sport and Environment Award.

Other local sports events also lead by example when it comes to sustainability, and many have been recognized for their greening efforts. Dave Elmore, owner of five teams across the nation including the Eugene Emeralds, shared with KMTR channel 16 why he enjoys visiting Eugene several time a year: "It's a nice, wonderful group of people...you feel like you should pick up every piece of paper you see and put it in the trash and you don't feel that way any place else around the country."

The 2008 Eugene Marathon was named one of the "Top 10 green races in North America” by Runner's World magazine.

Eugene is also one of the top 21 cities in the nation for bicycling, according to Bicycling Magazine. In its March 2006 issue, Bicycling rated more than 250 cities based on population and "cycling-friendly" statistics. Additionally, Eugene is ranked gold-level status for bicycle-friendly communities by the League of American Bicyclists.

Eugene, Cascades & Coast offers a wide variety of sustainable providers. Here are just a few of the ways in which you can make your sports event more environmentally friendly:

Establish a double-sided printing policy and/or recycle paper only policy among your organizing committees.
Buy local organic foods for your event.
Use sustainable/compostable foodware products or reusable silverware.
Place recycle and compost bins throughout the venue.
Utilize EWEB’s Greenpower or windpower for the duration of the event.
Use sustainable materials for participant and volunteer t-shirts (i.e. bamboo, organic cotton, etc.)
Provide shuttle service and bike valet.
Use biodiesel vehicles, electric golf carts or pedicabs.

Learn more about hosting a sustainable sporting event and the process for certification in a Sports Destination Managment article co-authored by Janis Ross, Executive Director of Eugene, Cascades & Coast Sports.

For even more ideas or assistance on greening your sporting event please contact Travel Lane County's Sports Sales Manager.