08 June 2025
Singapore, Sunday, 8 June 2025 - Despite the heavy downpour this morning, the Income Eco Run (IER) 2025 concluded today at the Marina Barrage with close to 5,500 participants rallying behind a common cause: reducing waste and promoting sustainable living.
Held in conjunction with Income Insurance Limited’s (Income Insurance) 55th anniversary (Income 55), the event brought together individuals of all ages and backgrounds, including families, seniors, ultra marathoners and pet owners, in a unifying movement towards climate-positive living.
As one of Singapore’s leading mass runs that champion environmental conservation, the IER 2025 set a new benchmark in raising awareness, and rallying responsible actions for zero-waste cause through the theme, “How Far Will You Go For Zero Waste?”.
The carbon-neutral event featured five run categories - 3km, 5km, 10km, 15km and 21.1km, and included a Kids’ Category as well as a newly introduced Pets Category, expanding the reach and impact of the event. 20 athletes with special needs from Special Olympics Singapore also participated in the 5km, 10km and 15km categories, running alongside volunteer pacers.
Income Insurance once again matched $1 for every kilometre clocked, bringing the total contribution to $70,000, its largest funds raised for IER so far. The funds raised will go towards supporting World Wide Fund for Nature Singapore (WWF-Singapore)’s pilot programme to reduce single-use F&B packaging. This pilot programme, supported by WWF-Singapore’s partnership with Income Insurance, aligns with the Singapore Green Plan’s target to reduce the amount of waste sent to the landfill each day by 30% by 2030.
Mr Seah Kian Peng, Speaker of Parliament, was the Guest-of-honour for the event and led the 5km and 10km flag-offs at 8am. Mr Seah also ran 5km for the cause and visited the IER Eco Village, which featured a variety of eco-friendly activities.
“It is my second time joining the Income Eco Run in recent years and I appreciate how Income Insurance is always pushing the boundaries when it comes to waste management and rallying the community behind reducing, reusing and recycling. I’m encouraged that the organisation remains steadfast in its cause and is taking actions that run against the vein of mass runs in Singapore. This includes encouraging participants to wear their own run tees, using only 100% plastic-free compostable cups at all hydration stations and offering participants the smallest possible run bibs we all wore today. In fact, I wore the IER tee from 2023 today!”, Mr Seah shared.
A 55-Year Milestone Marked by Endurance, Inclusion, and Climate Action
As a commemoration of Income 55, the IER also organised a 55KM Eco Ultra Marathon, which was by-invite-only, the night before on 7 June. The latter was flagged off by Mr Andrew Yeo, CEO of Income Insurance at the Marina Barrage. Among the nine ultra-marathoners who joined the flag-off were a stay-at-home mother, regular ultra-marathoners and endurance athletes. Collectively, they clocked 495 KM in support of the green cause.
Throughout the run, participants embraced sustainable ultra-endurance practices, such as using refillable hydration flasks, wearing sustainable running gear, and consciously minimising waste at rest points. Their actions demonstrated how endurance athletes can lead by example in advocating for climate action through mindful preparation and run execution.
This year’s new Pets Category saw an overwhelming response, with 100 pets – dogs on leash and cats in prams – joining pet owners for the 1KM walk from Marina Barrage to the Flower Dome at Gardens By The Bay. This category not only underscored the role of pet owners in sustainable living but also sparked meaningful conversations about conscious pet care. From recyclable poop bags to reusable bowls, pet owners proudly displayed small but impactful actions towards reducing waste.
From children bringing home seed-paper run bibs to plant herbs and vegetables, to proudly wearing finisher medals made from recycled plastic bottle caps made by Plastify, a local community-based organisation that recycles plastic waste into useful lifestyle products, the Kids Category extended the zero-waste learning beyond the run. The medals also doubled up as functional coasters.
Across the event, seniors and children participated alongside family members and friends, making IER 2025 a heartfelt, multi-generational demonstration of sustainability in action.
Turning Purpose into Measurable Climate Impact
Mr. Andrew Yeo, CEO, Income Insurance, said, “The Income Eco Run is a meaningful platform that brings people together in pursuit of a more sustainable future. This year, we celebrate 55 years of protecting and serving Singapore and today, we saw runners of all backgrounds come forward with purpose and heart. We are proud to champion zero waste not just in principle, but in practice, from how we manage logistics, materials and waste, to how we rally and engage the public on sustainable choices. IER 2025 showcased how personal choices can drive collective impact and we strive to set the benchmark on how events can be run sustainably.”
More specifically, the IER 2025 achieved bigger and more tangible impacts. These included using approximately 73,000 compostable, plastic-free cups by Foopak at all hydration points. Instead of filling the landfill, the cups will be composted by an Eco partner after the event, alongside banana peels that were also collected, as part of broader waste segregation efforts.
Additionally, the event further avoided waste by encouraging participants to run in their own or past IER tees, issuing e-certificates instead of traditional medals, and designing run bibs that were the smallest in the industry at 65% smaller than standard bibs.
Last year, 60% more recyclables were recycled including metal cans, paper cartons and plastic bottles, and general waste generated per pax dropped by 25%. This year, the aim is to reduce even more waste with greater efforts to reduce, reuse and recycle.
Commenting on the event, Vivek Kumar, Chief Executive Officer, WWF-Singapore, said, "In 2020 alone, Singapore disposed of around 200,000 tonnes of disposable items, including carrier bags, takeaway containers, and cutlery. With every kilometre clocked translating into a $1 donation to WWF-Singapore’s initiative to reduce single-use F&B packaging, the Income Eco Run drives impact far beyond the finish line. This partnership is an encouraging example of how we can turn individual action into collective progress, advancing climate awareness and a circular economy.”
In its third consecutive edition as a carbon-neutral event post-pandemic, IER 2025 also expanded its engagement efforts through the IER Eco Festival and Eco Village. These featured educational booths and showcases, lifestyle and pet-friendly sustainability partners, and recycling collection-off points for plastics and e-waste.
Carbon offsetting will be carried out for all participants’ commute and event t-shirt production. These initiatives provided accessible platforms for participants to support better waste management practices, including e-waste, plastic recycling, and upcycling.
The IER continues to serve not just as a fitness event but as a living case study in systems-based sustainability - proof that collective action, when executed with purpose, can deliver measurable environmental impact.
The IER is also supported by Go Green SG, a nation movement led and coordinated by the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment to rally citizens, organisations and the community to take collective action towards a more environmentally sustainable Singapore.
Singapore, Sunday, 8 June 2025 - Despite the heavy downpour this morning, the Income Eco Run (IER) 2025 concluded today at the Marina Barrage with close to 5,500 participants rallying behind a common cause: reducing waste and promoting sustainable living.
Held in conjunction with Income Insurance Limited’s (Income Insurance) 55th anniversary (Income 55), the event brought together individuals of all ages and backgrounds, including families, seniors, ultra marathoners and pet owners, in a unifying movement towards climate-positive living.
As one of Singapore’s leading mass runs that champion environmental conservation, the IER 2025 set a new benchmark in raising awareness, and rallying responsible actions for zero-waste cause through the theme, “How Far Will You Go For Zero Waste?”.
The carbon-neutral event featured five run categories - 3km, 5km, 10km, 15km and 21.1km, and included a Kids’ Category as well as a newly introduced Pets Category, expanding the reach and impact of the event. 20 athletes with special needs from Special Olympics Singapore also participated in the 5km, 10km and 15km categories, running alongside volunteer pacers.
Income Insurance once again matched $1 for every kilometre clocked, bringing the total contribution to $70,000, its largest funds raised for IER so far. The funds raised will go towards supporting World Wide Fund for Nature Singapore (WWF-Singapore)’s pilot programme to reduce single-use F&B packaging. This pilot programme, supported by WWF-Singapore’s partnership with Income Insurance, aligns with the Singapore Green Plan’s target to reduce the amount of waste sent to the landfill each day by 30% by 2030.
Mr Seah Kian Peng, Speaker of Parliament, was the Guest-of-honour for the event and led the 5km and 10km flag-offs at 8am. Mr Seah also ran 5km for the cause and visited the IER Eco Village, which featured a variety of eco-friendly activities.
“It is my second time joining the Income Eco Run in recent years and I appreciate how Income Insurance is always pushing the boundaries when it comes to waste management and rallying the community behind reducing, reusing and recycling. I’m encouraged that the organisation remains steadfast in its cause and is taking actions that run against the vein of mass runs in Singapore. This includes encouraging participants to wear their own run tees, using only 100% plastic-free compostable cups at all hydration stations and offering participants the smallest possible run bibs we all wore today. In fact, I wore the IER tee from 2023 today!”, Mr Seah shared.
A 55-Year Milestone Marked by Endurance, Inclusion, and Climate Action
As a commemoration of Income 55, the IER also organised a 55KM Eco Ultra Marathon, which was by-invite-only, the night before on 7 June. The latter was flagged off by Mr Andrew Yeo, CEO of Income Insurance at the Marina Barrage. Among the nine ultra-marathoners who joined the flag-off were a stay-at-home mother, regular ultra-marathoners and endurance athletes. Collectively, they clocked 495 KM in support of the green cause.
Throughout the run, participants embraced sustainable ultra-endurance practices, such as using refillable hydration flasks, wearing sustainable running gear, and consciously minimising waste at rest points. Their actions demonstrated how endurance athletes can lead by example in advocating for climate action through mindful preparation and run execution.
This year’s new Pets Category saw an overwhelming response, with 100 pets – dogs on leash and cats in prams – joining pet owners for the 1KM walk from Marina Barrage to the Flower Dome at Gardens By The Bay. This category not only underscored the role of pet owners in sustainable living but also sparked meaningful conversations about conscious pet care. From recyclable poop bags to reusable bowls, pet owners proudly displayed small but impactful actions towards reducing waste.
From children bringing home seed-paper run bibs to plant herbs and vegetables, to proudly wearing finisher medals made from recycled plastic bottle caps made by Plastify, a local community-based organisation that recycles plastic waste into useful lifestyle products, the Kids Category extended the zero-waste learning beyond the run. The medals also doubled up as functional coasters.
Across the event, seniors and children participated alongside family members and friends, making IER 2025 a heartfelt, multi-generational demonstration of sustainability in action.
Turning Purpose into Measurable Climate Impact
Mr. Andrew Yeo, CEO, Income Insurance, said, “The Income Eco Run is a meaningful platform that brings people together in pursuit of a more sustainable future. This year, we celebrate 55 years of protecting and serving Singapore and today, we saw runners of all backgrounds come forward with purpose and heart. We are proud to champion zero waste not just in principle, but in practice, from how we manage logistics, materials and waste, to how we rally and engage the public on sustainable choices. IER 2025 showcased how personal choices can drive collective impact and we strive to set the benchmark on how events can be run sustainably.”
More specifically, the IER 2025 achieved bigger and more tangible impacts. These included using approximately 73,000 compostable, plastic-free cups by Foopak at all hydration points. Instead of filling the landfill, the cups will be composted by an Eco partner after the event, alongside banana peels that were also collected, as part of broader waste segregation efforts.
Additionally, the event further avoided waste by encouraging participants to run in their own or past IER tees, issuing e-certificates instead of traditional medals, and designing run bibs that were the smallest in the industry at 65% smaller than standard bibs.
Last year, 60% more recyclables were recycled including metal cans, paper cartons and plastic bottles, and general waste generated per pax dropped by 25%. This year, the aim is to reduce even more waste with greater efforts to reduce, reuse and recycle.
Commenting on the event, Vivek Kumar, Chief Executive Officer, WWF-Singapore, said, "In 2020 alone, Singapore disposed of around 200,000 tonnes of disposable items, including carrier bags, takeaway containers, and cutlery. With every kilometre clocked translating into a $1 donation to WWF-Singapore’s initiative to reduce single-use F&B packaging, the Income Eco Run drives impact far beyond the finish line. This partnership is an encouraging example of how we can turn individual action into collective progress, advancing climate awareness and a circular economy.”
In its third consecutive edition as a carbon-neutral event post-pandemic, IER 2025 also expanded its engagement efforts through the IER Eco Festival and Eco Village. These featured educational booths and showcases, lifestyle and pet-friendly sustainability partners, and recycling collection-off points for plastics and e-waste.
Carbon offsetting will be carried out for all participants’ commute and event t-shirt production. These initiatives provided accessible platforms for participants to support better waste management practices, including e-waste, plastic recycling, and upcycling.
The IER continues to serve not just as a fitness event but as a living case study in systems-based sustainability - proof that collective action, when executed with purpose, can deliver measurable environmental impact.
The IER is also supported by Go Green SG, a nation movement led and coordinated by the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment to rally citizens, organisations and the community to take collective action towards a more environmentally sustainable Singapore.
