Income Eco Run 2026: Singapore’s Largest Zero-Waste Run Raises S$90,000 and Draws 7,000 Participants
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Income Eco Run 2026 Draws More Than 7,000 Participants at Bayfront Event Space, Raising S$90,000 To Further Deepen Zero-Waste Advocacy
SINGAPORE, 20 April 2026 - More than 7,000 runners gathered at the Bayfront Event Space on 19 April 2026 for the Income Eco Run (IER) 2026, reinforcing Singapore’s growing commitment to sustainability, circular economy practices, and zero-waste living.
Organised by Income Insurance, the carbon-neutral run combined fitness, environmental advocacy, and community engagement. Participants of all ages — including families, children, and pets — collectively helped raise S$90,000 for green initiatives, supporting programmes aimed at reducing single-use waste in Singapore.
The event continues to position itself as Singapore’s leading zero-waste run, demonstrating how large-scale sporting events can drive real environmental impact.
A Larger Venue for Singapore’s Growing Zero-Waste Movement
IER 2026 took place at the scenic Bayfront Event Space, offering 35% more space than the previous venue at the Marina Barrage. The expanded venue enabled greater community participation and a significantly larger Eco Village featuring sustainability partners, educational booths, and recycling stations.
Participants could actively practise waste segregation through designated recycling drop-off points for plastics, aluminium cans, paper cups, safety pins and banana peels.
The event also welcomed Guest-of-Honour Janil Puthucheary, Senior Minister of State for the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment, who flagged off the 5KM and 10KM races and toured the Eco Village’s sustainability showcases.
Running for Sustainability: Distances for Every Runner
The Income Eco Run 2026 offered a wide range of race categories designed to make sustainability accessible to everyone:
3KM Fun Run, 5KM Run,10KM Run, 15KM Run, 21.1KM Half Marathon
The event also expanded its Kids and Pets categories, reinforcing the idea that climate action is a shared responsibility across generations and communities.
Young runners aged 4–9 years participated in the classic 700-metre kids dash, while older children aged 10–12 years took on a new 1.2KM challenge for zero waste.
The Pets Category, open to dogs and cats with up to two owners per pet, also added a 1.2KM route. Participation from pet owners more than doubled this year, highlighting the increasing popularity of pet-friendly sustainability events in Singapore.
Turning Every Kilometre Into Climate Action
As part of its sustainability commitment, Income Insurance pledged S$1 for every kilometre clocked by participants, bringing the total funds raised at IER 2026 to S$90,000.
Since 2023, the Income Eco Run has collectively raised S$250,000 for environmental causes, including a new pilot initiative with World Wide Fund for Nature Singapore (WWF-Singapore).
The upcoming programme aims to reduce single-use takeaway food and beverage containers across Singapore’s CBD, helping businesses and consumers transition towards reusable packaging systems.
This initiative complements Singapore’s national waste reduction efforts led by the National Environment Agency through the “Say Yes to Less Waste” campaign.
Eco Experience Learning Journeys for Families
One of the most notable new features of IER 2026 was the launch of post-event “Eco Experience” learning journeys, designed to extend sustainability education beyond race day.
Families and children can participate in guided experiences such as:
E-waste recycling tours at ALBA e-waste facilities
Organic waste composting demonstrations using Black Soldier Fly larvae by ENTO Industries
Interactive sustainability tours at FairPrice’s flagship sustainable store with WWF-Singapore
These immersive programmes help children understand how waste is recycled, composted, and reused, encouraging lifelong eco-friendly habits.
How the Income Eco Run Achieved a Zero-Waste Event
IER 2026 demonstrated how large events can minimise environmental impact through practical sustainability measures:
Compostable Hydration Cups
All hydration points used plastic-free compostable paper cups. After the run, these cups — along with banana peels and pet waste — will be processed by ENTO Industries using Black Soldier Fly larvae, converting organic waste into fertiliser instead of sending it to landfills.
Reduced Paper Consumption
Race bibs were designed 65% smaller than industry standards, significantly reducing paper use across thousands of participants.
Reusing Event Apparel
Participants were encouraged to wear previous IER T-shirts or their own running apparel, reinforcing clothing reuse and reducing textile waste.
Sustainable Finisher Medals
Adult participants received digital e-medals, while children received physical medals handcrafted from upcycled plastic bottle caps by local community organisation Plastify.
Carbon Neutral Event
Carbon emissions from travel, race pack collection, and T-shirt production were calculated and offset, ensuring the event maintained its carbon-neutral status.
Singapore’s First 4-Leaf Eco-Certified Mass Run
The Income Eco Run has earned the Eco Event Certification from the Singapore Environment Council for three consecutive years and remains the first mass sporting event in Singapore to achieve the highest 4-LEAF certification status.
This recognition highlights the event’s leadership in sustainable event management, waste reduction, and carbon-neutral operations.
Building a Community-Driven Sustainability Ecosystem
According to Income Insurance’s Chief Customer Officer, the event has evolved beyond a race into a platform for collective climate action.
IER now brings together NGOs and environmental organisations, government agencies, sustainability educators, families and community groups, and eco-friendly brands and partners.
By combining fitness, environmental education, and community engagement, the Income Eco Run continues to inspire Singaporeans to adopt zero-waste lifestyles and sustainable consumption habits.
A Run With Purpose
As Singapore continues its transition toward a circular economy and low-waste future, the Income Eco Run demonstrates that collective action — from small behaviour changes to large community initiatives — can generate measurable environmental impact.
With record participation, expanded sustainability initiatives, and growing partnerships across sectors, IER is fast becoming a flagship sustainability event in Singapore’s green movement. #IncomeEcoRun #IER2026