July 29, 2024
Tzu Chi’s commitment to the environment at the 2024 Charity Run for Education
By Dorothy Castro
On July 21, Tzu Chi Foundation had its first-ever Charity Run for Education 2024, with 6,000 runners showing their support for the 1,700 scholars from different backgrounds and parts of the Philippines.
This charity run is a meaningful step for runners getting to know Tzu Chi for the first time. In their participation, they contributed to two of the foundation’s missions: charity in education and environmental protection. As runners successfully took on each kilometer, they helped in funding the scholars’ journey towards graduating and fulfilling their dreams. Additionally, their race kits contained eco-friendly items: a shirt made from processed polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic bottles and a reusable cup made of wheat straw.
Tzu Chi Foundation is known for always being environmentally conscious in every step it takes, especially in helping others. In its relief efforts, the blankets distributed are made from recycled PET bottles. In its occasional bazaars, it sells pre-loved items, ensuring they do not end up in landfills. The foundation also actively shares the knowledge of the 7Rs in environmental protection: practicing respect, reducing waste, recycling, reusing items, repairing broken objects, refusing items that end up in landfills, and rethinking the way we manage waste and impact the environment.
On April 22, Tzu Chi became race organizer Runrio’s advocacy partner of the Galaxy Watch Earth Day Run 2024, where Tzu Chi volunteers showcased the foundation’s environmental efforts and helped sustain a clean and orderly run by collecting the recyclable plastic bottles and biodegradable banana peels.
These collected items were then given a second life: recycled plastic bottles were turned into decorative lotus flowers while the banana peels were used to create eco-enzyme cleaning agents and incorporated in composting for Tzu Chi’s gardening at Sta. Mesa, Manila.
This initiative set a ripple effect towards Tzu Chi’s first-ever Charity Run for Education. Now, spearheading a run for the scholars’ education and environment, Tzu Chi approached this event with an even greater stride—throughout the planning process, their constant reminder was to remain sustainable and environmentally conscious to the best of their abilities.
And this goal, they were able to deliver. Tzu Chi came up with 6,000 shirts and singlets all made from recycled PET bottles. These shirts are all breathable and can stay cool even while the runner sweats with every kindness kilometer.
More than this, Tzu Chi overcame one of the most difficult hurdles that comes with planning a sustainable and eco-friendly run: managing the amount of single-use plastic and disposable cups that runners need for quick hydration. With every hydration station, a runner goes through a single-use cup. In this case, it was decided that the key to Tzu Chi’s sustainable run was the use of a collapsible wheat straw cup—one that can be easily carried, thus eliminating the need to use disposable cups in every hydration station.
These two steps were not the only initiatives taken upon by Tzu Chi during the run; similar to their diligent practice of segregating garbage at the Galaxy Watch Earth Day Run 2024, volunteers moved around the race village collecting and segregating trash.
For Yohann Tamayo, a student from University of the Philippines Los Baños, participating in the charity run as a beginner was an enjoyable and fulfilling experience.
When asked about his race kit, Tamayo especially enjoyed making use of the collapsible wheat straw cup. “I honestly thought the cup was really cool. I see myself using it in the future, [and] it's so portable,” he shared. Observing each hydration station as he went through his 5-kilometer run, he noted the cleanliness and how the reusable cups eliminated the need for disposable cups in each station.
The Schipper family from Germany greatly appreciated Tzu Chi’s environmental efforts for the charity run. That day, Tetiana Schipper, and her two sons ran 1 Kindness Kilometer, while her husband and other son ran 5 Kindness Kilometers.
When asked about her experience using Tzu Chi’s environmentally friendly shirts and cups, she recalled her experience in Germany. “We are very happy to have this experience in the Philippines. In Germany, it's very popular to use recyclable materials; we are very happy in the Philippines also, as these kinds of materials are used,” she shared.
DJ Tony Toni from Magic 89.9 also shared his enjoyment about the run, especially with how it is for a great purpose. “[With] the importance of preserving Mother Earth, I’m glad that you guys were able to have [reusable] cups. It’s nice to be part of this,” DJ Tony Toni shared.
Abella Sanchez and Wilma Buenaventura, Tzu Chi volunteers from Marikina, both participated in maintaining the cleanliness of the race village. Stationed in the recycling area, they collected and segregated garbage that can be recycled or used for compost.
“Our role as volunteers is to maintain the recycling area for this run, to ensure cleanliness. It was a good experience, because we were able to help people and also help keep the environment clean.” Sanchez shared.
“Even if it’s hard, I enjoy [helping], because Tzu Chi helps everyone… I am happy because our recyclables are well-segregated and we can give life to recyclables that can be sold to generate more funds that can help people in need,” Buenaventura said.
During the Tzu Chi Charity Run press launch held last June 18, Tzu Chi Foundation Deputy CEO Peggy Sy Jiang (left) and Runrio race organizer and Coach Rio de la Cruz proudly presented Tzu Chi’s environmentally friendly race items: a shirt made from recycled PET bottles, and a collapsible and reusable wheat straw cup.
Runners enjoy a cool run, wearing their eco-friendly shirts and keeping their hydration cups fastened to their bag.
Runners happily wave as they run for kindness at the Tzu Chi Charity Run.
Runners pose for a photo wearing their singlets made from recycled PET bottles.
Runners pose for a photo wearing their singlets made from recycled PET bottles.
A runner runs with ease while wearing the Tzu Chi Charity Run singlet, and having her wheat straw cup securely fastened on her belt bag.
Kind runners happily pose with their reusable bottles.
Tzu Chi remains committed to saving Mother Earth. During the Galaxy Watch Earth Day Run last April 22, the foundation was Runrio’s advocacy partner.
During the Galaxy Watch Earth Day Run last April 22, Tzu Chi volunteers’ participation meant ensuring cleanliness of the environment during the run.
The banana peels that Tzu Chi volunteers collected at the Galaxy Watch Earth Day Run last April 22 were turned into eco-enzyme multi-purpose liquid, used as a cleaning solution.
Collected bottles during the Galaxy Watch Earth Day run last April 22 were cleaned and prepared for recycling.
Tzu Chi does not let discarded banana peels go to waste. After the Galaxy Watch Earth Day run last April 22, the rotting banana peels that could not be used for eco-enzyme cleaning solution were instead used for composting.
Tzu Chi continues their commitment to the environment by promoting a vegetarian lifestyle, through these plant-based breakfast sets during the Charity Run.
Tzu Chi continues their commitment to the environment by promoting a vegetarian lifestyle, through these plant-based breakfast sets during the Charity Run.
Tzu Chi volunteers enjoy promoting sustainable living through a vegetarian lifestyle, sharing delicious plant-based breakfasts at the Charity Run.
Refreshing drinks were provided at the charity run, but no disposable cups were made available to lessen the use of single-use plastics. Reusable wheat straw cups and personal tumblers were used as an alternative.
A vendor prepares the soft tofu snack using a reusable container, and bread sticks were used as the spoon.
The soft tofu snacks were transferred to the wheat straw cups for runners.
The soft tofu snacks were transferred to the wheat straw cups for runners.
Runners line up for refreshing drinks after finishing their 5-kilometer run.
Refreshments were distributed in just the right amount for the wheat straw cup, lessening waste.
Refreshments are given using reusable containers, with no disposable cups for less waste.
Refreshments are given using reusable containers, with no disposable cups for less waste.
A runner enjoys a refreshing drink after finishing her 3K run.
DJ Tony Toni (center) from Magic 89.9 shows off his reusable wheat straw cup during the Tzu Chi Charity Run program.
Tzu Chi volunteers Wilma Buenaventura (left) and Abella Sanchez from Malanday, Marikina, took on the role of segregating the recyclables and ensuring cleanliness at the race village.
Tzu Chi volunteers ensure cleanliness around the race village by collecting runners’ trash and segregating them.
UP Circuit joins the charity run through its E-Waste project, collecting different kinds of electronic waste so that they do not end up in landfills.
Yohann Tamayo (left), signs up to donate for a tree-planting initiative by Tzu Chi.
Tetiana Schipper (center) poses for a photo with her children who ran with her.
Tetiana Schipper, mother to three children, enjoyed a fun-filled run with her family at the Tzu Chi Charity Run 2024.