The Dempsey Challenge puts a good faith effort into being environmentally responsible. We believe a healthy environment contributes to the overall health and well-being of the community – and a healthy community is a big part of what The Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope & Healing is all about!
Ways you can help this event become more environmentally sustainable:
- BYOB: Bring your own bottle! Cycling rest stops will be cup-free! Poland Spring H2O jugs will be available for replenishment at all rest stops and in the park.
- To reduce paper waste, encourage donors to contribute via credit card using the Dempsey Challenge website.
- Donate to a hungry family. Our volunteers will accept donations of non-perishable food items at Packet Pick Up – all going to Good Shepard Food Bank.
- Bike, walk or carpool to the starting line from your home or hotel. Make a plan with your teammates to reduce your carbon footprint together.
- We have a VIP bike and bag check area staffed by the Maine Cycling Club!
- GoMaine.org and PickUpPal.com are free online rideshare communities, check em’ out!
- Pay attention to signage, or ask a Green Team volunteer before you throw something away.
- All food waste (animal, vegetable, or mineral) should be added to our compost bins. The beer cups from Gritty’s are bio-degradable as well! Instead of ending up in a landfill, all of these items will be utilized by a local farm to make rich soil for their crops.
- Bottles/cans and Mixed Paper also belong in separate bins for recycling.
- Trash items include utensils, plates, bowls, paper napkins and all other cups other than those supplied for beer.
- Volunteer for the Green Team! Show your dedication to keepin’ the scene clean and green by rolling up your sleeves with us! Your presence will help to educate participants and spectators about sustainable practices.
Some of the ways we work to reduce our environmental impact:
- Offering online registration
- Cup-free cycling rest stops (BYO bottle)
- VIP bicycle parking in the bike valet
- Reusable goodie bags from Specialized
- Official cycling jerseys and dri-fit running shirts made from 100% recycled plastic bottles by Atayne
- Donating all leftover food to local soup kitchens
- Composting all food scraps and Gritty’s bio-degradable beer cups in partnership with Valley View Farm in Auburn!
- Eco-friendly Port-O-Johns (utilizing biodegradable chemicals, recycled paper, and the units themselves are made with recycled materials)
- Employing Green Team volunteers, keeping the scene ‘clean and green’ through recycling and composting.
