Even special events planners are taking into account the amount of devastation they can do to the planet. Anytime large groups of people get together, waste can be a problem. This year the folks in charge of organizing Pittsburgh’s “Great Race” are considering what they can do to ensure the event is more “eco-friendly.”

In fact, it was people who run in the race that demanded changes, because they realized that the thousands of plastic bottles consumed during the event end up in the trash.

“Our runners are very up front about the race, what they like and what they don’t,” race director Mike Radley said. “There were some mentions that we should be considering some more eco-friendly standards.”

Recycling will be key to the efforts this year, said Citiparks program coordinator Alex Shamraevsky.

“We’re really looking to reduce our impact this year,” Shamraevsky said, adding that the bottles of water, cardboard used for packaging and racing bibs will be recycled.

This definitely looks like a step in the right direction for the “Great Race.”