Thousands of runners returned to the streets of Naples on February 22, 2026, for the highly anticipated Napoli City Half Marathon, with 10,000 registered participants taking part in one of Southern Italy’s most celebrated running events known for its scenic coastal routes and energetic race atmosphere.
Race Day Highlights
As athletes pushed their limits across historic landmarks and waterfront stretches, organizers once again demonstrated their commitment to responsible event management by strengthening sustainability efforts throughout race operations.
Marking its return to the race, Foopak proudly supported the 2026 edition by providing 44,000 sustainable paper cups for hydration stations along the route. The initiative helped further reduce reliance on single-use plastic while ensuring runners received safe, reliable hydration during the event.
Commitment from Sustainability Partners
“I always value the opportunity to return to my hometown,” said Danilo Benvenuti, Europe Regional Director of APP Group. “Now, as a father and grandfather, the responsibility to support sustainable development for the next generation feels more personal than ever. It’s encouraging to see the city working with local organizations to enhance quality of life across our communities. I’m proud to be part of a company actively developing sustainable packaging solutions that strengthen the circular economy and deliver meaningful, lasting impact. Together, we’re laying the foundations for future generations to build on.”
Event organizers welcomed the partnership as part of their broader sustainability roadmap. “In the last couple of years, we’ve seen great numbers, a reduction [of waste] of 40% from 2023 to 2026. This year at the Napoli City Half Marathon, we hosted a plastic-free event,” said Paolo, a representative of the Napoli City Half Marathon organizing committee. “We worked to completely eliminate plastic during the event. No bottles, no cups, just compostable, plastic-free alternatives. Also, around the course, you won’t see any plastic.”
To ensure hydration stations met the highest environmental standards, Napoli Running also worked closely with Plasticfree.
Engaging Runners at the Expo Sport
Ahead of the race on February 21, Foopak participated in the Expo Sport activation, where runners and visitors engaged directly with the sustainable solutions through live demonstrations. The on-site experience allowed participants to see the durability and functionality of Foopak cups in real conditions.
Nicholas Susanto, European Regional Sales Head of Foopak, added: “It’s exciting to see runners interacting with sustainable alternatives firsthand. Foopak continues to show that eco-friendly solutions can perform just as reliably as traditional options, even in high-demand sporting environments.”
The Expo also featured educational moments where participants were invited to care for the environment by adopting responsible disposal and recycling habits with sustainable hydration solutions.
Read More: Foopak, Here and There Across 2025
How Running Events Are Reducing Plastic Waste
Mass participation races generate a significant amount of waste in just a few hours. Hydration stations, energy snacks, takeaway meals, and promotional materials often rely on disposable packaging. Studies on large-scale sporting events show that single-use plastic cups are among the most visible sources of waste along race routes.
However, not all paper cups are automatically sustainable. Many conventional cups are laminated with polyethylene (PE), which can make recycling and composting difficult for large-scale events. As environmental awareness grows across Europe, marathon organizers are rethinking their approach to reduce waste and improve sustainability.
Organizers are increasingly replacing plastic cups with paper-based alternatives designed for recyclability and compostability. Foopak cups support this approach through aqueous coating technology, which eliminates polyethylene lamination while maintaining liquid resistance and food safety performance. In addition, improving waste sorting systems at hydration stations with clearly labeled bins ensures that materials are properly processed after the event. Partnerships with certified sustainable packaging suppliers further help organizers meet their environmental commitments, while education programs for runners and volunteers encourage responsible disposal behavior during and after the race.
Together, these efforts reflect a broader commitment to building greener sporting traditions at high-profile events like the Napoli City Half Marathon.
What Makes Foopak Cups a Practical Sustainable Choice
Hydration remains critical during endurance races, requiring cup solutions that balance sustainability with performance. Foopak paper cups are coated with aqueous dispersion technology, eliminating the need for polyethylene (PE) lamination while maintaining strong liquid resistance, leak protection, and food-safe performance suitable for both water and isotonic beverages.
In addition to reliable functionality, the cups support recyclability, compostability, and biodegradability, helping organizers align operational needs with broader environmental goals while ensuring hydration stations run smoothly during peak race moments.
Looking for Greener Packaging Options? Start with Foopak
While international races provide a visible platform for sustainability initiatives, the same principles extend across food service, takeaway, and event catering environments. Businesses seeking alternatives to single-use plastics can adopt paperboard solutions that maintain functionality, safety, and brand presentation.
By supporting events like the Napoli City Half Marathon, Foopak continues to demonstrate how responsible packaging can contribute to both memorable experiences and meaningful environmental progress. Over time, more responsible food service packaging plays an important role in reducing landfill dependency and environmental impact. Designed with aqueous dispersion coating technology and a recyclable, compostable structure, Foopak paper cups support hydration needs while helping reduce long-term waste.
As sustainability expectations continue to evolve, Foopak welcomes collaboration opportunities with event organizers, brands, and food service operators seeking to advance more responsible packaging practices.
