Event Details | |
| Host | Niantic Bay Yacht Club |
| Location | Niantic, USA |
| Certification Level | Platinum |
| Website Link | Nianticsailing.org; NBYC.org |
Best Practices Achieved
1. Eliminate Single-Use Water Bottles and Provide Water Refill Stations
Sailors used personal water bottles throughout the day; breakfast, on the water and at the reception. Water from water station and large thermos and lemonade from large jugs were available for drinks. Cups from repurposed materials were provided to 3 crew members of the committee boat
2. Eliminate Plastic Straws
No straws were available. We publicized our "plastic straw ban" on social media ahead of the regatta date.
3. Serve Food with Plastic-Free Dinnerware
Only napkins used at breakfast. Less than 10 small plates made from repurposed material were available at the reception. Bags for hamburger and hot dog rolls were saved and brought to Big Y for recycling. Chips from 2 extra-large bags were placed in large bowls. Bags were recycled at Stop and Shop. We also advertised on social media ahead of the regatta that metal utensils were available in the galley if needed.
4. Skip Bags or Go Reusable
Lunches provided by the galley were in recyclable or reusable containers and no plastic bags were used. We also advertised our "plastic bag ban" on social media ahead of the regatta.
5. Award Practical Items or Use a Perpetual or Upcycled Trophy
Awards this year were beautiful embroidered pillowcases.
6. Publicize Your Sustainability Efforts
Jennifer Stivrins and Olivia Murin posted several clean regatta tips and practices through social media. All participants were required to sign the Sailor for the Sea Pledge. The Sailors for the Sea flag was raised for the day. Olivia Murin and Kennedy Nemec, our Green Team teen ambassadors, created a great sign on our white board as well.
7. Involve Local Organizations
This year we reached out the CT Audubon society to learn about ways to protect our sea birds and their habitats. Joe Attwater, educator from the Audubon Society, provided a wonderful presentation which included observing sea birds through binoculars. Also, Olivia Murin, one of our youth green team members is working on her Girl Scout Gold Award on green sailing practices. She has helped throughout the sailors for the sea process.
8. Post Educational and Reusable Signage
Youth green team members Olivia Murin and Kennedy Nemec created a colorful sign on a whiteboard that lists clean regatta practices. Kids from beginner sailing classes at NBSA also helped to create signage from recycled materials, such as old optimist centerboards and scrap wood found in the water.
9. Serve Local Food or Source Seafood Sustainably
Olivia Murin and Jenni Stivrins provided locally grown fruit and vegetables from Hunts Brook Farm, in Waterford CT for the breakfast and reception.
10. Organize a Green Team
The green team planned and implemented the clean regatta practices. This included organizing beach clean-ups, coordinating the Audubon Society presentation, and providing both a waste free breakfast and an after-race reception. It also included sourcing locally grown fruits and vegetables, introducing clean practices with a brief presentation at the awards ceremony, and documenting sustainability efforts with photos taken prior to the regatta.
11. Ensure Proper Waste Bin Placement and Signage
Signs for trash, compost, and recycling were made from old optimist centerboards and scrap wood found in the water.
12. Divert Food Waste from the Landfill
Buckets of food waste were taken to be composted by a green team member.
13. Use Paperless Event Management
Registration volunteers used laptops instead of paper to check kids into the regatta with Clubspot. All documentation, waivers and green pledges were signed electronically.
14. Host a Beach or Marina Cleanup
Olivia Murin and Kennedy Nemec led beach cleanups, along with the help of NBSA coaches, during classes leading up to the regattas.
15. Prevent Toxins from Entering the Water
Sailors are only allowed to use water to wash their boats after sailing.
16. Increase Awareness of Wildlife and Habitat Protection
The presentation by the Audubon Society helped to increase awareness of wildlife among kids, and signage around the club also helped to bring attention to this. These images were also posted on our Instagram.
17. Offer Vegetarian or Vegan Alternatives
Breakfast and reception included large bowls of locally grown blueberries, cucumbers, and carrots. Breakfast was 100% vegetarian.
18. Promote Alternative Transportation
Bike racks have been upgraded and enlarged to accommodate more bicycles at NBYC. We encourage our racers and their family to arrive at the club by "greener" means if possible!
19. Reduce Day-of Emissions
Coaches were encouraged to share coach boats and spectators were encouraged to sit on the breakwater at the yacht club rather than going out on the water.
20. Inspire Future Action
Olivia Murin and Kennedy Nemec delivered a speech to all the sailors at the regatta during the awards ceremony, introducing the Sailors for the Sea practices and explaining why these matter. Jennifer Stivrins delivered a similar speech at the Audubon bird presentation that targeted a much younger crowd.
