The organizers of the Cook Medical Beat the Heat 5K have prioritized sustainability as a core part of its mission, implementing a range of environmentally conscious practices to reduce its ecological footprint. The race incorporates eco-friendly initiatives such as using compostable water cups at on-course aid stations and the finish area. Water coolers will be located at the race site to provide water for runners to refill personal water bottles in an effort to reduce the number of plastic water bottles and cups at the event. Volunteers staff sustainability tables throughout the race site, sorting such items as banana peels, plastic water bottles, snack packaging etc., which can be composted or recycled. 

Some of our efforts to reduce waste include:

• Providing medals only if participants opt in
• Collecting used running shoes at the expo and race for donation
• Encouraging expo and race vendors to minimize and recycle packaging
• Donating unused food
• Composting all food waste and other organic materials, including cups and pizza boxes
• Recycling water bottles (see more below)

As part of a sustainability initiative for BTH 2026, TCTC is partnering with UNIFI https://unifi.com/ to recycle plastic water bottles (donated by Lowe’s Foods for after-race festivities!). UNIFI is a NC-based company (Greensboro, Yadkinville and Reidsville) that is a global leader in transforming plastic and textile waste to consumer products. 

You can help us be more sustainable on race weekend by doing the following:

• Everyone can participate in making this effort a success by noting waste disposal signage at the event, and by placing empty plastic bottles at the designated location in the food and drink area. Clean plastic bottles free of other waste will be bagged and dropped off to the Reidsville bottle processing plant by TCTC volunteers.  
• Give your old running shoes new life by donating them at the Expo