Organising starts with waterproof maps

[Gonzo]

Oh dear, here we go again on the environmental issues, I am sure this has been discussed before.

In rough terms the 'plastic component' used in the waterproof map and the ordinary plastic bag are roughly equivalent. The waterproof map might not end up in landfill immediately.... but in due course ALL of them will, as we get rid of the boxes of our competition maps when we tire of the sport or get old! At least the clear plastic bag can be reused, and councils have recycle systems for them as well.

Quote from the Neenah Lahnstein website (they make Pretex).

During production, no environmentally hazardous substances like organic solvents, PVC, formaldehyde or ODC compounds are used. No environmentally harmful breakdown products occur at waste disposal sites or during thermic recycling.

So basically Pretex will break down in landfill even if it cannot be recycled at least I think that is what it means. I do not believe that the plastic map bags will do the same so Pretex seems to win the environmental arguement over bags. I also suspect that a thousand years in the future some archaeologist might dig up the plasticky never-tear maps and wonder what people were doing in the 21st century as I am fairly convinced that they will never break down!

[King Penguin]

At Long Mynd there were 2 people on start, doing all the normal things and separating maps and handing them to competitors as well. My thanks to all of them. Whilst it was dry for a lot of the start window it was in an exposed pesition and very windy. However, no matter how well clothed they are in general, if they have bare fingers for separating maps they run the risk of losing digits to the cold, and if they wear gloves they may still find it hard to separate them even though they my have longer than a competitor to do so.

[DavidJ]

I won't identify the event, I'm trying to make a general point and don't want to get sidetracked into discussion of one particular event.

My assumption that you were referring to the BADO event was too quick a judgement. Checking the BOF event list shows 10 events taking place yesterday with several of them likely to have had adverse weather.

[drobin]

Another factor yesterday at Greenham was the wind. It forced me to fold the map smaller than usual and as a result has suffered badly from the print flaking off. Whereas the previous night in better weather, and taking much the same time, the map remains perfectly readable. I know Nigel Benham (who is an orienteer) at BML printers is well ware of the problem(s) with waterproof maps.

[roadrunner]

I can't see a problem with option 2, even at bigger events. Wasn't this the procedure at the Venice Street-O, which with 3000+ entrants was hardly a small event. (Of course, the weather wasn't a problem there ... )

[Gonzo]

as a result has suffered badly from the print flaking off.

What 'paper' was used at Greenham? Was this Pretex or the plastic shiny or something else?

[Scott]

The Southern Nights at Greenham used the very thin shiny plastic. It was the first time I'd seen it used for an A3 map, and I reckon I lost a good half-minute on the way to the first control whilst trying to wrestle it into folding.

[HOCOLITE]

Agree completely ref my earlier thread about folding. Sat night had these awful maps Sunday had the easier to fold map, it was pretty sodden but foldable and readable and it dried nicely on the radiator

[DavidJ]

Sunday had the easier to fold map, it was pretty sodden but foldable and readable

... except where it had been folded and the ink had come off - luckily my folds were not on top of any of my controls.