Richmond VA > Sustainability > Awards

Last Updated: 2017-03-07

Awards and Accolades

Year Title Conferred By
2017 Virginia Green Travel Leader Award, RVA Green Team Virginia Green Travel Alliance
2016 Recycler of the Year Virginia Recycling Association
2016 Green Event of the Year, Virginia Green Travel Star Award, UCI Road World Championships Virginia Green Travel Alliance
2016 Platinum Award, Green Government Challenge Virginia Municipal League (VML)
2016 Climate Protection Award, First Place, Large City U.S. Conference of Mayors
2016 Governor's Environmental Excellence Gold Award, UCI Road World Championships 2015 Virginia's Governor
2016 Gold Certification, 2015 UCI Road World Championships Council for Responsible Sport
2015 Platinum Award, Green Government Challenge Virginia Municipal League (VML)
2015 Green Travel Star Award, Green Event of the Year, 2015 UCI Road World Championships Virginia Green Travel
2015 UCI recycling eco-label, 2015 UCI Road World Championships Union Cycliste Internationale
2015 Virginia Green Event Certification, 2015 UCI Road World Championships Virginia Green
2014 Platinum Award, Green Government Challenge Virginia Municipal League (VML)
2013 Vision Award, Best Example of Public Policy, RVAgreen Sustainability Plan Urban Land Institute
2013 Platinum Award, Green Government Challenge Virginia Municipal League (VML)

2015 UCI Road World Championships

In Sept. 2015, Richmond became the first U.S. city to host the 2015 UCI Road World Championships (2015 Worlds) since 1986.

The international event attracted more than 645,000 spectators with more than 1,000 professional cycling athletes from 75 countries competing in 12 world championship races. Hosting such a large event in a socially and environmentally responsible way was an immense and complicated undertaking.

Sustainability was a key factor in the success of the Worlds and in giving athletes and spectators an extremely positive experience. In making the 2015 Road World Championships a sustainable event, the city also moved its broader RVAgreen sustainability initiatives forward.

2015 Worlds Achievements to Reduce Waste

  • 76% of event waste diverted from landfill
  • Comprehensive Waste Management Plan that included compost and commingled recycling
  • All food vendors and caterers required to use compostable serve ware
  • New bulk purchase system developed to lower price of compostable serve ware for event
  • All food vendors and caterers composting/diverting as much pre-consumer food scraps as possible
  • Recycling of traditionally difficult materials including pallets, plastic bags and cooking grease
  • Food recovery program to donate unused food from event to local charities
  • City, VA Green Travel Alliance (VGTA) and HandsOn Greater Richmond created the new RVA Green Team Volunteer Network to recruit and train sustainability volunteers for the UCI Worlds
  • City, HandsOn Greater Richmond and VGTA received a grant for six AmeriCorps NCCC volunteers to serve as green team leaders during event
  • Volunteer training included pre-event e-mails, a video on compost and recycling during the event, a short pre-shift training session and on the scene training from a team leader
  • RVA Green Team volunteers encouraged, educated and involved attendees in separating items into proper bins
  • Nine water refill stations located throughout the event area provided by the City of Richmond
  • Reusable beer cups in beer gardens
  • Public eco-stations: three bin stations with 96 gallon commingled recycling, 96 gallon compost, and 96 gallon trash (landfill) bin. Located throughout key event areas and marked w/color coded and coordinated system of flags, symbols and signage for high visibility.
  • Vendor Eco-stations: three bin stations with 96 gallon commingled recycling, 96 gallon compost, and 96 gallon trash (landfill) bin. Located conveniently near caterers and food vendors. Also included collection of cardboard, plastic bags and cooking grease.
  • Staging Areas placed in strategic locations where recycling, compost and trash from eco-stations as well as cardboard, pallets, plastic bags and cooking grease is placed temporarily until picked up and taken off-site
  • Eco-station banners and signage created to educate attendees and encourage waste reduction efforts
  • Developed detailed maps showing locations of eco-stations and staging areas and shared with caterers and vendors
  • Conducted pre-event meetings and daily check-ins with caterers and food vendors
  • Caterers monitored attendance numbers to ensure supply tailored accordingly to avoid waste
  • Recycled packaging material from event
  • Event app that provided event details and information to reduce the need for printing
  • 100% online registration for athletes and volunteers
  • Event communications and marketing conducted electronically to minimize printed material
  • Encouraged reduction of give-away items at event
  • Rented, borrowed, or reused a majority of event equipment

2015 Worlds Achievements to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Transportation

  • A dedicated website created to convey day by day event information related to: traffic and commuting, transit, Amtrak and parking, pedestrian/cyclist guide
  • "RVA Green the Scene" campaign and signage to encourage people to use public transport, walk or ride to the event
  • Multiple temporary bike share stations to provide bikes for use during the event
  • Bike valets available to encourage people to ride to the event
  • Shuttle buses to and from event available where people can park/ride from convenient locations
  • Event venues were conveniently accessed by public transport
  • Event partner GRTC offered a special $35 unlimited ride pass during entire event
  • Event partner RideFinders provided carpooling and other alternative mode resources
  • Amtrak offered enhanced walk-up checked bike service on select trains and at select stations
  • Event courses/schedules were developed to account for morning and afternoon travel patterns and peak travel times

2015 Worlds Achievements to Be Healthy

  • Used local caterers and food vendors that served healthy food options
  • Encouraged healthy activities by engaging the community in events like "Conquer the Cobbles" which gave the public a chance to ride the race course
  • Car Max Kid Zone with interactive and educational activities on being healthy and bike safety
  • Partnered with DRIVE SMART Virginia on a "Be Aware. Be Safe. Share the Road" campaign
  • Promoted September as Virginia Bicyclist and Pedestrian Awareness Month with partner DRIVE SMART Virginia

2015 Worlds Achievements to Leave a Positive Legacy for Future Events

  • 2015 Worlds obtained three certifications recognizing its sustainability accomplishments: the first ever Road World Championships to receive the Union Cyclist Internationale’s (UCI) ReCycling eco-label, Gold Certification from the Council for Responsible Sport and certified green event from the Virginia Green Program
  • "UCI World Sustainability Champion" community focused campaign to engage attendees in sustainability activations during event and educate them on broader city sustainability initiatives
  • Main event site was the Greater Richmond Convention Center (GRCC) which is a Virginia Green Certified facility
  • Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) to offset 100% carbon footprint of event operations
  • RVA Green Team Volunteer Network continues to serve as a resource to help events and festivals in the community become more sustainable
  • 200 eco-stations are available from the city of Richmond to help organizers in the community make their events more sustainable
  • 10 water refill stations are available from the City of Richmond to help organizers in the community make their events more sustainable
  • Bulk purchase system to lower the price of compostable serve ware for event organizers, caterers and food vendors
  • "RVA Green the Scene" campaign and signage is available to inform attendees about sustainability initiatives and encourage adoption at future events
  • Green team volunteer video, eco-station banners, signage, and flags are available for use at future events
  • A new category for the Virginia Green Program was created that enables food trucks and mobile food vendors to apply for certification
  • A green event toolkit from the City of Richmond and VGTA with information and resources to help more events adopt sustainable practices

Contact Information:

Richmond City Sustainability
730 E. Broad St., 8th Floor
Richmond, VA
23219 USA
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Phone: 311 or (804)646-7000

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