Stadiums
Opportunities to recycle at stadiums exist both inside the venue and outside in the parking lots. Plastic and aluminum beverage containers are the most common recyclables generated by fans while tailgating, and these materials may be collected either separately or mixed together. Cardboard is another recyclable generated in high volumes at stadiums, primarily by concessionaires. As the cost of trash disposal continues to increase, recycling can be a financially attractive option—particularly with cardboard.
Target Areas
Concessionaires
Concessionaires can be a key partner in facilitating recycling. Most stadiums do not allow patrons to bring in consumables from the outside, so concessionaires can control most of the waste that is generated. Many concessionaires discard tons of corrugated cardboard, one of the easiest products to recycle. Work with concessionaires to use packaging that cuts down on waste and is conducive to recycling.
Tips:
- Encourage concessionaires to collect corrugated cardboard.
- Instruct either concessionaires or janitorial staff to bring corrugated cardboard to a compactor.
- Refer to our Concessionaires & Vendors page to learn how to involve these valuable partners.
Parking Lots and Tailgating
Remember that tailgaters generate large amounts of waste and even larger amounts of bottles and cans. Target these areas to collect tailgaters’ and fans’ recyclables.
Tips:
- Pass out collection bags to stadium attendees as cars enter the parking lot. Ask attendees to collect their own recyclables in the bags and then leave the bags in the parking lot. Collect the bags after the game and transfer the materials to a mixed recycling bin. (The Pro Bowl 2006 used this method successfully.)
- Place recycling bins next to each trash can in the parking lot and at stadium entrances and exits. (Qualcomm Stadium (PDF) (6 pp, 636K, about PDF) in San Diego uses this method successfully.)
Post-Event Stadium Bleachers
A majority of food and beverages are consumed by patrons in the seating area, and most of the packaging and containers are left behind once the game or event is over. Although a post-event pickup of recyclables from the seating area can be labor intensive, it is one of the most efficient ways to recover recyclable materials.
Recycling and Trash Collection at Colorado Rockies Coors Field in Denver, CO (PDF) (3 pp, 164K, About PDF)
Tips:
- Instruct janitorial staff to conduct two separate “picks” after the game or event—one for recyclables and one for trash.
- Ask janitorial staff to conduct a simultaneous trash and recyclable pick after the game with two separate collection bags for trash and recyclables.
- Enlist volunteers to collect the recyclable materials after a game or event.
Hallways, Restrooms, and Other Public Areas
Because it may not be feasible or desirable to place recycling bins in seating areas, stadiums should position bins in the concourse areas, in hallways, and near restrooms to make it convenient for fans to drop their recyclables off as they are moving about within the stadium.
Tips:
- Place recycling bins for plastic bottles and aluminum cans in all public areas.
- Place recycling bins beside trash receptacles to make it ease for fans to recycle.
Education
Education and promotion are crucial to encourage public participation in recycling.
Tips:
- Educate fans and visitors about what materials are recyclable and where the bins are located.
- Advertise the location of recycling bins and the importance of using them through printed programs, over the loudspeaker, and on the big screen.
Success Stories
Baseball
- MLB has emerged as as a powerful leader in the global green movement. See how several teams are going green.
- Nationals Park received LEED Certification for green design elements such as 100 recycling bins for fans; recycled materials in 20 percent of the ballpark’s construction and recycling 5,500 tons of construction waste; high efficiency field lighting and air-cooled chillers; and water conserving plumbing fixtures.
- The Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field, the second ballpark in the U.S. to compost food waste, saved more than $26,000 in disposal costs in 2006. In 2007, they added food and yard waste, as well as glass from the luxury suites and metal food containers. In celebration of Earth Day, the Seattle Mariners joined with Cedar Grove Composting to stage the first carbon-neutral game in Major League Baseball history.
- The Phillies have begun recycling cardboard, paper, beverage containers, fluorescent lamps, lighting ballasts, frying oils and other items, conserving energy and have joined EPA's Green Power Partnership
- The Oakland Athletics (PDF) (2 pp, 848K, About PDF) save approximately $40,000 a year in disposal costs due to their recycling and composting program.
- EPA and New York Mets Agree on Environmental Goals for Citi Field. The builder of New York Mets’ new ballpark, the Queens Ballpark Company, and EPA signed a Memorandum of Understanding, which spells out design, construction and operational principles ensuring that Citi Field meets high environmental standards and reduces its carbon footprint.
- Baseball Stadium Hits Home Run for Recycling and Composting . The San Francisco Giants saved more than $100,000 on its garbage disposal in 2004 by implementing a recycling and composting program at AT&T Stadium, formerly SBC Park.
- Pirates unveil green initiative . The Pittsburgh Pirates plan to recycle around 760,000 beverage containers by encouraging fans to use 180 new recycling bins and by conducting a bowl pick. Other green initiatives include two-sided printing, energy-efficient lighting, and buying reusable mugs and recycled paper.
- "Our Tribe is green, are you in the Tribe?" The Cleveland Indians are installing recycling bins for beverages throughout Progressive Field and will continue to recycle all paper and cardboard products and use recycled paper.The Indians environmental leadership was demonstrated earlier by the installation of 42 GE solar panels in the upper deck of the stadium.
- Astros going earth friendly in 2008 . The Houston Astros are launching an "Astros Play Green" campaign involving recycling bins throughout the stadium, use of recycled paper, and many other initiatives.
- Red Sox Green Team . The Boston Red Sox go green with recycling and plans for solar power at Fenway Park.
- Penn State wins race for first LEED-certified stadium . This 5,500-seat ballpark is a dual pro/college stadium, shared by Penn State's baseball team and the State College Spikes, a minor league club.
Football
- University of Tennessee, Neyland Stadium’s Recycling Program (PDF) (6 pp, 876K, about PDF).
- Qualcomm Stadium's Recycling Program (PDF) (6 pp, 636K, about PDF)
- Pro Bowl [2007] Scores Recycling Touchdown
- The NFL and the Boys and Girls Club of Hawaii Tackle Recycling at Pro Bowl 2006.
- The Philadelphia Eagles promote recycling and other sustainable efforts and encourage their fans to adopt sustainable practices. One way Eagles can't lose: Game-day efforts show why they're ecological champs (PDF) (4 pp, 38K, about PDF) , an article in Philly.com, highlights the team's energy-saving efforts.
- The Houston Texans new recycling initiative encourages fans, team members and employees to recycle. Recycling bins will be set up throughout the stadium, including the Texans' front office, locker room, weight room and cafeteria.
- The St. Louis Rams announce program with Waste Management to launch Green Platform , ranging from offering recycling to fans to exploring alternative energy.
- The New York Jets have partnered with Rock and Wrap it Up! , a national nonprofit organization whose mission is to feed all those who hunger using safely recovered edible leftover food from arenas where major concerts and sporting events occur.
- The New England Patriots Purchase Green Energy at Gillette Stadium
- Great Lawn Sunday . The Arizona Cardinals recycling program at the University of Phoenix Stadium provides bags for recycling to tailgaters, recycling bins on the Great Lawn and security checkpoint locations, as well as recycling bins inside the stadium.
- The NFL's Super Bowl environmental initiatives include recycling, prepared foods recovery, sports equipment and book drives, and materials donations, as well as its relatively new carbon-neutral initiative.
Other
- HP Pavilion at San Jose/Shark Tank: An Arena Recycling Success.
- Indian Wells Tennis Center. A six-minute video showing the process for collecting kitchen waste generated at a major tennis tournament for use as compost.
- Munich Soccer Stadium. A soccer association in Munich, Germany, included a waste reduction element in its plans for a new 66,000-seat stadium opened in 2005. The City of Munich also pioneered a deposit system for washable dishes and mugs at its famed Oktoberfest.
- The Nets Shoot to be Green . The Nets are developing a comprehensive plan to reduce environmental impact and are targeting to become first NBA team to be carbon neutral.
- Local and state governments can promote recycling at little league games. For example, the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality's Little League Recycling and Litter Control Project provides banners promoting recycling and bins for recyclables to Little League teams. They also will provide funding for placement and maintenance of the banners and containers for up to three fields.
- EPA's WAste Reduction Model (WARM) Calculator converts tons of waste prevented or tons of material recycled into figures easily understood by your fans, such as number of cars taken off the road and equivalent energy conserved or greenhouse gases reduced.
Tools & Resources
- The RCC Web Academy's Stadium Recycling webinar features Scott Jenkins, VP of Ballpark Operations of the Seattle Mariners/Safeco Field and Al Matyasovsky, Supervisor of Central Support Services at Penn State in University Park, Pennsylvania. This webinar focuses on how to set up and implement a public recycling program at stadiums, including materials to recycle, working with sponsors and vendors, training of staff, bin placement and signage, buying recycled products and public outreach.
- Use the Stadium Recycling Guide for direction on setting up a recycling program at a stadium.
- Visit the How to Set up a Recycling Program page for information on setting up a recycling program at a stadium.
- Wisconsin BeSMART Coalition.
- CA Integrated Waste Management Board’s Venues and Events: Reducing Waste
- "Rock and Wrap it Up!" works with sports teams to help fight hunger in their team’s community by clubhouse and stadium food recovery.
- The NRDC Greening Advisor The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) has developed a web-based tool featuring advice on sustainable stadium operations and team pratices, as well as information on local resources available to Major League Baseball (MLB) teams. Although developed specifically for MLB, the information is applicable to other sports teams.
- Venue Recycling in the USA identifies seven venue and event categories and estimates the potential volume of recyclable containers generated within each of these categories, and cumulatively. The report provides six guiding principles shared by all successful recycling models, as well as common on-site recycling opportunities. It provides programmatic detail in the form of successful recycling “models” for each of the identified venue and event categories and two active program examples for each category.
- Named after their buffalo mascot, Ralphie's Green Stampede is the University of Colorado's ambitious effort to reuse, recycle, or compost valuable materials, thereby reducing the environmental impact of home games. A combination of CU’s internal commitment, strong vendor involvement, and effective outreach and external relations are setting a new standard in “sustainable stadiums”. Waste reduction measures will continue to shrink total materials use while packaging chosen for recyclability and compostability will dramatically increase diversion.