The Yokohama Marathon 2024, scheduled for October 27, 2024, is introducing new initiatives to connect sports with sustainability through environmentally conscious event operations. As an official partner, JEPLAN, Inc. will provide participants with T-shirts made from 100% recycled polyester and implement a clothing recycling program. Through the marathon, the event aims to promote the realization of a circular economy.
Sustainable Event Operations Through Clothing Collection at the Starting Line
The Yokohama Marathon 2024 is a large-scale sports event that attracts over 20,000 runners each year. This year, it is gaining attention as a new initiative to help realize a circular economy. In recent years, the disposal of clothing at the starting line of marathons has become a growing concern, with discarded garments contributing to increased waste. To address this issue, JEPLAN and the Yokohama Marathon have formed a special collection team to recycle discarded clothing, actively working to reduce waste through recycling efforts.
JEPLAN has already been promoting clothing recycling through its “BRING™” program, which regenerates used clothing into new resources. During this event, unwanted clothing from participants will be collected to encourage reuse and recycling. This initiative aims to contribute to the realization of a circular economy through the marathon, ensuring that the entire event operates sustainably.
Additionally, the participant T-shirts, made from “BLANK APPAREL™” using 100% recycled polyester, are eco-friendly while offering superior comfort and functionality. The sustainable efforts of Yokohama Marathon 2024 are expected to set a new standard for sports events. JEPLAN’s recycling technology, which regenerates PET bottles and polyester fibers, ensures efficient circulation of limited resources while contributing to CO₂ emissions reduction. This sustainable approach offers not only marathon participants but also society as a whole a valuable opportunity to increase awareness and understanding of the circular economy.