The official waste audit of Procam’s TCS 10k 2018 event that concluded on 27th May is available here https://tcsworld10k.procamrunning.in/resource/pdf/waste-management-report.pdf. The waste generated was 7,431 kgs of segregated waste in addition to 1470 kgs of mixed waste that was sorted later. The audit includes all waste generated over the 8 days from pre-race to post-race days. Here are the takeaways from the standpoint of an observer/participant. *Pluses:* 1. There were efforts made by the organizers in establishing green aid stations with 20L dispensers and reusable cups on the race route. 2. There were waste pickers on the route to collect and segregate waste at source. 3. The food area was completely green with hot food and bio-degradable arecanut plates. It seems that steel plates of sufficient numbers could not be organized at the last moment. 4. Flex banner usage within the stadium was reported to be minimized. 5. At the post run food area at the stadium, there were reports of 100% segregation at source, with help of volunteers and hired staff monitoring the trash collection. All waste was professionally managed and taken to the right destinations to reduce landfill waste. *Minuses:* 1. Many runners could not spot the green stations on the route. Some runners’ gave feedback that the Hydration partner Bisleri’s hoarding placement near water stations could have blocked view. 2. Many runners felt that there was not much reduction in plastic bottle usage on the route as the volunteers were proactively handing out bottles but the volunteers on the green stations were comparatively fewer. 3. The start and finish area in the stadium did not have reusable cups and water dispensers where people actually drink a lot of water and hence end up using a lot many bottles compared to the route. 4. Flex banners were used on the route although they are banned in Karnataka. *Aspects that should be looked into:* 1. Training of green station volunteers is a must. Placement and visibility of green stations on route is important. 2. Although there was reduction in tetrapak waste this year, there were no alternative options such as electrolyte powder mixed by volunteers and made available in cups. This also improves ease of consumption and reduces waste of both electrolyte and the packaging. 3. Removal of flex banners from race route. So much visual pollution and no participant actually looks at these banners during the race! Sponsors can get mileage in many other ways through electronic media and signages. 4. Zero waste holding/post-run areas where all packaged water should be replaced by 20 ltr dispenser cans and reusable cups. 5. Make minimization of waste generation, part of the event management charter and work out the process in advance for EVERY event. For events of this scale, there are many challenges for the organizers. Hope the missing pieces will be worked out in the subsequent events. It was good to know through an online poll that many participants carried their own bottle during the run and did not use the plastic bottles handed out. It is great to see people aware of their actions. It is even better to see organizers responding to the call for action by making efforts to reduce plastic usage. We expect Procam will take these learnings to their next event for better execution. A great example of that is the NEB sports which concluded its 48hr Stadium run at Mumbai this weekend using ‘only’ reusable glasses and refills for the entire duration, as per their official announcement. We expect exemplary execution from them on reducing usage of single use disposables in NEB’s upcoming 10k event in Bengaluru.