Poland Spring(R) Implements Innovative Recycling Program at 38th ING New York City Marathon
NEW YORK, Nov. 2 /PRNewswire/ — Poland Spring(R) Brand Natural Spring Water, in partnership with the New York Road Runners, will arrange to recycle the 75,000 one-gallon Poland Spring water containers that provide hydration for runners at the ING New York City Marathon. This unprecedented recycling program is the first step in lightening the environmental footprint of the race, and is the latest initiative in Poland Spring’s long-standing commitment to the environment.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20071102/NEF029)
Additionally, Poland Spring installed multiple recycling bins at the Poland Spring(TM) Marathon Kickoff Race in Central Park on October 28 to recycle more than 13,500 Poland Spring water containers.
“Poland Spring is proud to work alongside the New York Road Runners to make it easier to recycle beverage containers,” said Andrew Schopps, senior presence marketing manager, Poland Spring Brand Natural Spring Water. “This is a great start, and we’re excited to find additional ways to help reduce the environmental impact of future events.”
“On the theory that every little bit counts, we believe this initiative is another step in the right direction in our efforts to be environmentally conscious,” said Mary Wittenberg, president and CEO of New York Road Runners.
As the Official Water of the ING New York City Marathon 2007, Poland Spring will greet marathoners at the finish line with samples of its new Eco- Shape(TM) bottle. With up to 30 percent less plastic than the average half- liter plastic beverage container, Eco-Shape is the lightest half-liter plastic beverage container currently on store shelves (1). In addition to less plastic, the label is 30 percent smaller than the previous label.
On race day, November 4, media can sample Poland Spring Brand Natural Spring Water in the new Eco-Shape bottle at the ING New York City Marathon Media Headquarters, located at Tavern on the Green.
In addition to the new Eco-Shape bottle, Poland Spring manages its bottling facilities and water resources with an eye toward long-term sustainability. The brand invests significantly in helping to protect the environment around its water supplies and, in partnership with The Nature Conservancy, has conserved hundreds of thousands of acres of valuable natural resources.
More information on Poland Spring is available online at http://www.polandspring.com/. Additional information on the ING New York City Marathon is available at http://www.ingnycmarathon.org/.
(1) Based on a March, 2007 nationally conducted audit of half-liter bottles. Thirty-four different half-liter bottles across the water, soda, and tea categories were weighed in twelve cities. On average, the Eco-Shape bottle was found to be the lightest half-liter bottle on the market, containing 30 percent less plastic when compared to the average of other half-liter beverage bottles. About Poland Spring and the ING New York City Marathon
Poland Spring’s history with the New York City Marathon goes back to 1977 when its parent company, formerly The Perrier Group of America, first initiated a partnership with the event. Perrier sponsored the race until 1989; Poland Spring assumed the role in 1996, and has continued the relationship to this day. Poland Spring Brand Natural Spring Water, a product of Nestle Waters North America Inc., is the Official Bottled Water of the ING New York City Marathon 2007.
About Nestle Waters North America
Nestle Waters North America Inc. is the number one bottled water company in the U.S. Its family of 15 well-known brands includes Poland Spring(R) Brand Natural Spring Water, the leading spring water brand in America. Consumers around the U.S. enjoy its other popular regional brands such as Arrowhead(R), Deer Park(R), Ice Mountain(R), Ozarka(R) and Zephyrhills(R). Nestle Waters North America also imports globally recognized bottled water brands such as Perrier(R) and S. Pellegrino(R). The company is related to Nestle Waters, based in Paris, the bottled water division of the Swiss company, Nestle, S.A.
About Nestle Waters North America’s Sustainability Commitment
Nestle Waters North America spring water brands come from carefully selected spring sources that are honored for their great-tasting water. These brands have a long history of sustainability. They are dedicated to creating beverages that are good for consumers, and better for the environment. They are committed to moving toward a lighter environmental footprint, from source to bottle.
About the ING New York City Marathon
The premier event of New York Road Runners, the ING New York City Marathon is one of the world’s great road races, drawing more than 98,000 applicants. The race attracts many world-class professional athletes, not only for the more than $600,000 in prize money, but also for the chance to excel in the media capital of the world before two million cheering spectators and more than 300 million worldwide television viewers. As any one of the 710,000 past participants will attest, crossing the finish line in Central Park is one of the great thrills of a lifetime. For more information, visit http://www.ingnycmarathon.org/.
Photo: Newscom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20071102/NEF029AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Poland Spring
CONTACT: Sarah Piperato, +1-617-939-8388, spiperato@coneinc.com, forPoland Spring
Web site: http://www.polandspring.com/http://www.ingnycmarathon.org/