Trash Free Trails
Approved
TFT Approved is our Sustainable Event Accreditation Scheme.
Making race events happen is hard work. Making them more sustainable even harder.
​
That's where we can help!
​
Designed for outdoor race events, the Scheme enables event organisers to make simple but significant changes to the way they manage their events to reduce their environmental impact.
​
TFT Approved is a completely free, self-evaluation scheme that supports you to reach the highest sustainability standards possible.
With an in-depth guidance and an easy-to-use criteria, use the TFT Approved Toolkit to start your journey into becoming a leader in sustainable outdoor race events.
​
This Summer We're Hitting The Road To Visit TFT Approved Events!
Thanks to the continued support of partnership ecosystem, we're proud to be hitting up 13 events in person this year.
We know that speaking to riders, runners and roamers on the trails and at the events they love is how we can ignite the most sparks, so this summer we're road tripping to some of the best events the UK (and beyond!) has to offer.
​
Check out where we're heading below!
Whether it's playing games at the TFT tent, hosting talks and workshops, or celebrating some of our A-TEAMers take on the trails, be sure to come say hi if you see us around.
Pop by the tent to find out what you can do to help the events you love become more sustainable!
How Does It Work?
TFT Approved is a self-accreditation scheme. Simply download the toolkit, choose the standard you want to hit, and begin implementing changes into your event management.
​
Notify us which standard you're working towards and let us know how we can support you. Shout loud and proud to your community about how you're a TFT Approved event.
​
After race day, confirm you hit all the criteria in your standard and feedback to us how it went.
Make change at every stage
The TFT Approved Guidelines act as a unique source of insight into how to hit sustainability goals at every stage of event management.
​
From planning and pre-production to race day and pack down, the guidance includes practical, affordable and simple ideas, tips and suggestions on how to reduce your environmental impact. With all the information you need in one place, we've taken the time-consumptive research process out of the equation, so you can focus on delivering the best event possible, at the highest sustainability standard.
Positive Traces No Matter The Scale
From internationally renown races to your beloved local park 10K, we've designed TFT Approved with everyone in mind.
​
There are three levels of Standard you can hit - Bronze, Silver and Gold - making TFT Approved accessible for everyone, especially smaller, newer events with limited resources.
Equally, the different Standards set the bar for what you can aspire to as an event organiser, promoting progression, learning and development as core factors in increasing sustainability across the sector.
​
Simply pick the Standard best suited to your event, and pat yourselves on the back when you showcase your achievements to your community.
Cycling World Champs at Glentress:
A Case Study
Last summer we headed to the UCI Cycling World Championships at Glentress in Scotland. The event team had been smashing TFT Approved criteria in the run up, so we wanted to see firsthand how they'd gotten on.
​
It's safe the say this event took sustainability to a whole new level. Bursting at the seams with gold standards, we were so stoked to see the trails left trash free.
​
Better yet was getting to host TrashMob Academy events for young people, ensuring that we gave back to the local area, as much as it gave us one hell of a weekend.
​
You can find other Case Studies in the TFT Approved Toolkit!
Achievements Are Worth Celebrating
Event attendees are just as invested in sustainability as you are, so making noise about achieving a TFT Approved Standard is almost as important as hitting the criteria in itself.
​
This is why we've built clear communications objectives into the Criteria, along with a heap of support, ideas and visual materials for you to use to showcase to your event community that sustainability is a top priority.
​
Building attendee investment is vital for encouraging behaviour change. By shouting proudly about the changes you've made, you can inspire change beyond the Finish Line.
​
I'm a Spectator - How Can I Help?
Heading to a TFT Approved event this summer? Use our handy (not so) Secret Shopper Checklist to see if the events you attend hit the marks.
​
Download onto your phone or print out the document, then share your findings with us using the tag #TFTSecretShoppers!
​
As event attendees and spectators, you're a key voice in the race to make the events we know and love more sustainable.
If you have ideas about the Scheme and want to add your voice, email us on hello@trashfreetrails.org
A Gold Standard TFT Approved Event
Sometimes it can be hard to imagine what the most sustainable version of your event can look like.
Thankfully the incredibly team at Stormstatic have our backs and produced this incredible poster so we can see exactly what a Gold Standard TFT Approved event can be.
​
The only limit is your imagination!
A sustainable event can’t succeed without cooperation, collaboration and feet on the ground from competitors and spectators. The best way you as a competitor can contribute is by making noise about TFT Approved at your event. Get educated, and encourage other competitors to do the same.
And if TFT Approved isn't present at one of your races, be the one to introduce it to event organisers! As key stakeholders there's so much you can do to help leave positive traces where you run and ride.
​
.jpg)