If you’ve never experienced May in Indianapolis, it’s an experience like no other. It’s much like celebrating your birthday month… only on steroids! Events celebrating the tradition of the Indy 500 actually start the end of April with the IU Little 500 and Purdue Grand Prix. There is an organized evening of collective porch parties, a fundraising gala at the Motor Speedway, a Festival parade, Carb Day etc. The month is filled with celebration for this time-honored racing tradition! (find a complete list of events here).

Having been a central Indiana resident for 86% of my life, the race and events leading up to it have simply been part of my ‘normal.’ It wasn’t until a few years ago when I watched the release of 1000s of balloons prior to the race that I considered the environmental impact of the Greatest Spectacle in Racing.

While I’m sure there are plenty of areas, we could look at to highlight the impact of Race Day alone, I’ve bulleted a few below that immediately came to mind:

  • Trash. Speedway officials estimated approximately 50,000 lbs. of trash was left behind after the race in 2013.
  • Balloons. The release of thousands of balloons was formerly a pre-race tradition. Balloon launches has been paused indefinitely as of April 2022due to impacts on the environment and wildlife.
  • Spectator traffic. A very conservative estimate from the IndyStar in 2018 reported that spectator traffic at the 500 on race day would produce nearly 20 million pounds of carbon dioxide. By comparison, the EPA reports that the average passenger vehicle emits roughly 10,000 lbs. of carbon dioxide…over the course of an entire YEAR. Calculations were based on using the most popular vehicle in the United States, the Ford F-150.
  • Fuel consumption. Indy cars use about 115 gallons of fuel on race day alone (roughly five miles to the gallon). Several years ago, IndyCar made the switch to 85% ethanol which does burn more cleanly. Unfortunately, while the air pollutants that affect human health are lower, the fuel still releases carbon dioxide and water vapor into the air which traps heat on Earth

Change is coming.

Last year (2021), the Indy 500 earned the silver level Responsible Sport Certification from the Oregon-based Council for Responsible Sport. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway stated in April 2021 that the 2021 race successfully implemented all mandatory standards of the council, as well as nearly 40 of the recommended social and environmental impact considerations. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway stated in August 2021 that the 2021 race successfully implemented all mandatory standards of the council, as well as nearly 40 of the recommended social and environmental impact considerations.

While I couldn’t readily find confirmation that the Race has earned this distinction again for the 106th running of the Greatest Spectacle in Racing, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway announced the next phase of sustainability initiatives including:

  • a new race tire made with sustainable natural rubber;
  • increased waste diversion efforts throughout the facility with expanded recycling and food recovery programs; and
  • the official IMS retail partner, will open a fully sustainable store inside an electric truck. All items sold in the truck will be reusable or designed from recycled plastic bottles.

So that’s progress.

We hope we can continue cataloging the changes made to the Race and celebrations to decrease the environmental Sasquatchian-sized (it’s a word, I’m sure) footprint. In the meantime, check out my sources and more information on race festivities and efforts below:

https://www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/planyourvisit/season-schedule

https://cbs4indy.com/news/this-is-who-cleans-up-all-the-trash-left-behind-at-ims-after-indy-500/

https://www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/news-multimedia/news/2022/04/22/penske-entertainment-sustainability-2022

https://www.indystar.com/story/news/2018/05/21/indy-500-has-trash-problem/607042002/

#Sustainability #GreenhouseGas #GHG #Indy500

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Cassie Lee is an Account Manager for Cornerstone Environmental, Health and Safety out of our Zionsville office. She also dabbles in social media marketing, website development, candid newsletter writing, animated videos and brochure making. Her side hustle is raising three boys (#BoyMom) and three dogs while grasping at straws to maintain her last shred of sanity.

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