The RBC GranFondo Whistler is an annual, non-competitive cycling event that attracts thousands of riders for a “big ride” experience from Vancouver to Whistler along the scenic Sea to Sky Highway.
With the sheer number of riders coming through Whistler in one day, there is inevitably high numbers of waste collected, especially with single use plastics from energy bars and packets the riders tend to use. As the event has become more popular over the years we can see that reflected in the amount of waste produced, however we can also see a very strong waste diversion rate that started back in 2017 at 88% and as of last year was nearly 91%. We are looking forward to another year of showcasing how we can prevent a significant amount of waste from reaching landfill.
Zero Waste Heroes Participation
Zero Waste Heroes have been working in partnership with GranFondo for six years. 2025 will be our seventh year.
- September 9, 2017
- September 7, 2018
- September 7, 2019
- September 10, 2022
- September 9, 2023
- September 7, 2024
- September 6, 2025
Event Size
- Over 5000 cyclists plus spectators
Zero Waste In Numbers
| Year | Waste Collected (kg) | Waste Diverted from Landfill (kg) | % Waste Diverted / Collected |
| 2017 | NA | NA | 88.24%* |
| 2018 | NA | NA | 88.69%* |
| 2019 | NA | NA | 81.94% |
| 2022 | 1650.25 | 1252.06 | 75.86% |
| 2023 | 1662.77 | 1371.91 | 82.51% |
| 2024 | 1850.50 | 1642.10 | 88.74% |
| 2025 | 2135.62 | 1937.76 | 90.73% |
*Data from 2017 & 2018 just refers to waste from Olympic Plaza and Lot 4 and does not include on course waste which from 2019 onwards is incorporated.
