This will also be the year, however, that the Show You Care Solidarity Ride bore testament to the spirit of camaraderie, solidarity and caring for our environment in the face of suffering and hardship.
Despite working side by side with other volunteer fire fighters during the week prior to the race, Plastics|SA's sustainability manager, John Kieser and a team of 90 eco warriors, managed to turn their attention to the roads on Sunday, 8 March 2015 to ensure that all the litter left behind by cyclists and spectators was picked up and sent away for recycling by the time the race ended.
"We all had very little sleep before the race as the majority of our clean-up crew came from communities that were threatened by the fire and had to work around the clock to protect their homes and surrounding vegetation," Kieser said.
The decision was taken by the race organisers to shorten the race from 109km to 47km in order to avoid the area that was most affected by the fire. Although the route was shortened, all the race sponsors were still positioned along the route and a full complement of cleaners was needed.
"The clean-up crew had their hands full to ensure the paper cups from the refreshment areas and the Goo Energy drinks in their multi-layered sachets were quickly picked up and cleared away," Kieser said, adding that they had managed to fill three two-ton trucks with waste that was collected on the day, of which approximately 80% will be recycled.
Kieser highlighted the involvement and support of outside associations who helped to make their job significantly easier. "Our sincere thanks go to PETCO in particular who graciously made available to us their very visible red bins that were placed in strategic places along the route, and to Plastics|SA's Sustainability Council for sponsoring the bright yellow bibs that helped to ensure the safety and improved visibility of the crew on the day. The PETCO vehicle and trailer were used to cart away the bins and the litter and ensure the route was spotless by 3:00pm that day," he added.
