Next year, South East Asia’s premier eco run, the Income Eco Run 2019, will be flagged off at the F1 Pit Building on 28 April, and will return with new initiatives to encourage runners to continue their journey toward zero waste.

Initially established in 1970 to provide affordable insurance for workers in Singapore, today two million people look to Income for trusted advise and solutions when making their most important financial decisions. 

The company now has a wide network of advisors and partners who provide life, health and general insurance products and services for customers.

Introducing the Zero Waste 5km Run

And the race aims to reduce the use of single-use plastic products with the introduction of the Zero Waste 5km Run, where all the category’s participants will be Zero Waste Runners.

As well, Income is also eliminating the use of plastic lined paper cups at hydration points for the Zero Waste 5km Run. Instead, runners will be given a specially produced reusable cup, which will be handed to them on the day of the race.

These cups will be foldable and easy to hold, and runners can stash the cup in their pockets or clip it to their running vests to meet their hydration needs when they are running.

As well, runners will get to keep the reusable cups, in order to encourage them to keep the momentum to reduce, reuse and recycle.

Zero Waste Runners in the 10km and 21.1km Half Marathon will have the option to pick up a reusable cup on race day too, to meet their hydration needs.

Income can save close to 20,000 paper cups 

By introducing the reusable cups, Income estimates that they can save close to 20,000 paper cups, leading to a further reduction of 6kg in waste produced during the race. 

Also, plastic lined bins for the Zero Waste 5km Run will be replaced with paper wristbands, which are recyclable. And plastic packaging will also be removed from all running singlets, including finisher tees for runners.

Income originally started using plastic lined cups for this year’s race, which took place in April, and they also ensured that all cups used were recycled too.

And this led to a reduction of overall waste produced at the race, and an increase in recycling rates.

For instance, 92.4% of waste generated at the 2018 race was recycled, as compared to the 2017 race, where 62.9% was recycled. This is a 31% increase.

Using Solar Energy

Additionally, Income will also be incorporating solar energy on Race Day and this will be powered by Singapore’s leading clean energy provider, SunSeap – to offset 60% of energy consumed at the start area. This will make Income the first mass participation event in Singapore that makes use of solar energy.

On introducing all these initiatives, Marcus Chew, Chief Executive Marketing Officer of Income, said, “Our daily actions and activities directly impact the environment and a little step goes a long way. We try to push the boundaries a little more at each edition of the Income Eco Run – to challenge ourselves and the runners.”

He added, “We aim to introduce more environmentally friendly measures within the race each year and to encourage each other to embrace the changes, doing more for our collective quest toward zero waste.”

Registration Now Open

Super Early Bird registrations for Income Eco Run 2019 are now open. 

Race categories include the new Zero Waste 5km distance for runners aged 13 and over, the 800m category for children aged eight and below, and the 1.2km run for kids between nine to 12 years of age. Other categories include the 10km competitive run and 21.1k Half Marathon for adults, as well as the mixed team 21.1km race.

For more information, register at IncomeEcoRun.sg.