With the January 2012 introduction of v3.0 of the ReSport Certification Standards (PDF download of v3.1 available here), certified events will adhere to principles set forth in nine sustainability categories: Waste, Climate & Energy, Procurement & Sourcing, Community Impact, Healthy Lifestyle, Community Involvement, Inclusion, Indoor Expos and Innovation. One credit is awarded for each standard met; innovation credits are available for innovative practices not defined in the standards. By earning credits in these categories, events can qualify for the following levels of ReSport Certification:
| v3.0 Certification Levels | Events Without Indoor Expos | Events With Indoor Expos |
|---|---|---|
| Evergreen | 52+ credits | 60+ credits |
| Gold | 44-51 credits | 52-59 credits |
| Silver | 35-43 credits | 41-51 credits |
| Certified | 26-34 credits | 30-40 credits |
Please refer to the examples below to get a sense of how ReSport Certification standards are defined and earned:
WASTE – 9 credits available
Example – Waste Credit 1.1: Divert at least 60% of waste
Intent: Create less waste and keep it out of landfills and incinerators.
Credit requirements: Show that at least 60 percent of total waste generated at the race event has been received by permitted local diversion facilities.
CLIMATE & ENERGY – 11 credits available
Example – Credit 2.4: Communicate availablity and enable the use of alternate transportation, including at least two of the following:
(1) Mass/public transportation
(2) Event-organized transportation, such as shuttle buses
(3) Race organizer facilitates and/or promotes carpooling
(4) Bicycle parking
Intent: Reduce the number of people who need to drive to the race. This reduces congestion, need for parking, pollution and emissions. Instead, encourage alternative transportation and ride-sharing.
Credit Requirements: Make it easy for event staff, volunteers, vendors, participants, and spectators to use alternatives to single-driver vehicles, including: mass/public transportation, bicycles, carpooling, and/or event-supplied transportation. These alternatives must be well publicized on the event website.
PROCUREMENT & SOURCING – 13 credits available
Example – Credit 3.3: All large format printing by event organizer is printed in a sustainable manner, is expected to be reused for future events, or is taken back by the manufacturer
Intent: Reduce pollution and make sustainable choices for banners and large directional and sponsorship signage.
Credit Requirements: Large format printing (eg: banners and directional signage) must be printed on sustainable substrates with non-toxic inks, or the large format signage must be reused for future events.
COMMUNITY IMPACT – 8 credits available
Example – Credit 4.2: Measure the event’s economic impact on the host county or city
Intent: Races bring in money to the local economy. An economic impact study can help you communicate your impact on the local community. Overall, the intent is to have the community embrace the event and make sure that the event has a positive impact.
Credit Requirements: Complete an economic impact study of the event.
HEALTHY LIFESTYLE – 5 credits available
Example – Credit 5.5: Teach healthy training skills to people new to the sport
Intent: To convert first-time participants into active, life-long athletes, especially people who are inactive or need encouragement to be active by teaching them how to avoid injury and get the most out of training.
Credit Requirements: At least one discrete event element must teach healthy training skills to beginners so that they stay with the sport.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT – 4 credits available
Example – Credit 6.2: Create a community action plan
Intent: Work with the people whose lives are directly impacted on race day because they live on or near the course. Involve the community in the planning and running of the event so that the community welcomes the event.
Credit Requirements: Based on feedback from the community, develop an action plan.
INCLUSION – 5 credits available
Example – Credit 7.3: Identify barriers to participation for under-represented populations and take steps to remove those barriers
Intent: If parts of your community aren’t showing up to participate, figure out why not.
Examples of barriers include: Lack of equipment, entry fees, shoes or gear. Another example is marketing materials that groups don’t identify with and reinforce that “people like me don’t do this sport.”
Credit Requirements: Implement the steps identified in your plan from credit 7.1. Activities must lead directly to increased participation in the event.
INDOOR EXPOS – 8 credits available
Example – Expo Credit 6: Booth space donated to nonprofit organizations
Intent: Race uses its assets to strengthen local nonprofit organizations. Through nonprofit partners, the event provides education, awareness and opportunity to engage in activism on a social, environmental, or health issue.
Credit Requirements: Give nonprofits free booths at expo. Minimum of 5 percent of expo floor space should be reserved for nonprofits.
INNOVATION – 3 credits available (plus one additional innovation credit if you have an indoor expo)
Example – Innovation Credit 1: Documented, measurable feature that enhances sustainability of event
Intent: To encourage new ideas and creative approaches to typical event challenges.
Credit Requirements: The solution must be quantifiable. Reasonable, measurable numbers must be provided showing the extent of improvement resulting from this practice or process.