Etchells Worlds Clean Regattas standards were communicated in print and at four Club events prior to the Regatta. Regatta Chair and Green Team members interfaced with Club staff to meet standards. Green Team volunteers gathered measurable evidence of meeting Clean Regattas standards with both an on-line Feedback form and a full detail report submitted to Sailors for the Sea. Fifteen Best Practices are required for Gold certification. Evidence of meeting 18 was submitted: Water Bottle Reduction, Green Team, Trash Free Regatta, No Discharge, Recycling, water only washdowns, non-toxic cleaning products, oil spill prevention, paper reduction, biodegradable plastics, bottom paint, maintenance, regatta awards, stormwater reduction, alternative fuels, compost, LEED Gold building, sustainable landscape practices, high efficiency vehicle parking.
Each boat received 4, 34 oz. logo water bottles at registration. Green Team volunteers provided 3 ten gallon beverage containers, filtered water, lemon slices and mint leaves stationed in the flagpole area. Water bottle reduction efforts decreased water bottle waste by 4800 half liter bottles, about 400 bags of trash/recycling. Participants were overwhelming in their appreciation and one commented that we were putting St. Francis YC to shame.
Etchells Worlds Green Team members volunteered 75 man-hours. This increased volunteer activity on Club grounds enabled feedback from membership. Regatta participants, spectators and Club members gave overwhelming positive support for water bottle reduction, “Skip the Straw”, recycling, water conservation, biodegradable products and non-toxic cleaning products. Resistance from PRO, Race Committee and Club management gradually dissipated as positive responses increased.
SDYC Members request stainless and/or BPA free SDYC logo water bottles in Boatique. Members request assistance in making this happen and demand reasonable access to logo water bottles. Specifically, do not require 100% markup on water bottles. Offer logo bottles at a reasonable price and establish a collaborative relationship between Boatique and Membership to reduce plastic waste on Club grounds.
Recycling is not fully integrated at SDYC. Staff does not yet have the tools and training to meet Clean Regattas standards. Trash and recycling receptacles are not paired. Green Team volunteers monitored and paired containers each day. Spot checks showed some locations where 2/3 of trash volume was recyclable. By weight, this represents opportunity for additional Club savings.
Water conservation was problematic due to lack of nozzles. Green Team Volunteers provided 2 nozzles and purchased 10. Club owned hose and nozzle maintenance must be viewed as a regularly scheduled, weekly maintenance item. View this as a normal business expense rather than a war as boats and water are our core competency.
Two participants took Clean Regattas ideas and tools back to their yacht clubs: California Yacht Club and Chicago Yacht Club. Green Team provided them with all support materials.
Staff provided planet friendly kitchenware at regatta social events and are enthusiastic learners of plastics reduction and recycling principals. San Diego Yacht Club meets or exceeds many Clean Regattas Best Practices. Recycling, hose and nozzle maintenance, water bottle sales are opportunities for additional efficiencies, Club savings and increased revenue.
"We pledge our commitment to clean waters and shores by participating in Sailors for the Sea's Clean Regattas program. We vow to fulfill, and encourage others to fulfill, the goals and requirements of Clean Regattas as set forth by Sailors for the Sea, and to work to protect and restore our waters for the use and enjoyment of current and future generations."