Major League Baseball’s All-Star week is currently underway, with the big All-Star game taking place tonight. Partnering with the NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council), MLB has once again gone green for all of the week’s games and events. By making eco-conscious efforts, Major League Baseball is demonstrating to millions of people how to be environmental stewards by leading by example.
MLB’s ecologically responsible efforts during All-Star Week include:
- EnergyOffsets– 120,000 KWh of energy used during the All-Star Game and related events, including the Home Run Derby, the Legends & Celebrity Softball Game and the All-Star Futures Game will be offset with Green-e Certified Renewable Energy Credits supplied by Bonneville Environmental Foundation.
- Solar Panels- In advance of the All-Star Game, the Royals and KCP&L installed on Kauffman Stadium 120 solar panels that will produce 36,000 kw/annually.
- Water –Major League Baseball is purchasing water restoration credits from the Bonneville Environmental Foundation for the 600,000 gallons of water that will be used during All-Star Week ballpark activities. In March 2012 the Royals and Grundfos, a vendor of pumps, partnered to improve the efficiency of Kauffman Stadium’s signature fountains.
- Recycling – Recycling containers are located throughout the offices, suites, concourses and parking lots at Kauffman Stadium. All MLB-hosted events will include recycling programs. To reinforce this message All-Star Green Teams of volunteers will circulate throughout Kauffman Stadium during the All-Star Game collecting recyclables from fans. The food concession company at Kauffman Stadium, Aramark, collects the grease from all kitchens and concession stands to be recycled as bio fuel.
- Awareness – MLB will promote “Green” messaging with a PSA highlighting the NRDC partnership; in-stadium signage and an ad in the 2012 All-Star Game Program.
- Materials – Environmental attributes were prioritized when selecting All-Star Game paper for invitations, tickets, programs, ballots, etc. The Kansas City Royals have reduced paper use by creating an electronic media guide and transitioning to a digital ticket system. Paper products in the restrooms contain post-recycled content such as the toilet paper (30% post-consumer) and paper towels (up to73% post-consumer).
- Organic Waste Diversion – The Royals, in conjunction with Missouri Organic Waste, will divert organic waste from food prep and from the suites to composting. Uneaten food will be collected and donated to Harvesters.
- Legacy – MLB will partner with the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Kansas City Independence Unit and Operation Breakthrough to refurbish & renovate the facility, using eco-friendly materials including low volatile organic compound materials such as paint and sealants, low flow plumbing fixtures, FSC certified wood and locally produced materials.
Major League baseball was the first professional sports league to develop a program dedicated to environmental stewardship. Since establishing a league-wide greening initiative in 2005 in close partnership with the NRDC, MLB’s environmental program has grown to include all of its teams and venues.
As a result, in just the past five years alone millions of pounds of carbon emissions have been avoided and hundreds of thousands of pounds of paper products will be shifted towards recycled content, or not used at all. Recycling and/or composting programs have been or are being developed at virtually all professional stadiums and arenas nationwide. All large food concessionaires, which collectively feed tens of millions of people each year, have also developed environmentally preferable menus for at least some of their offerings.
Kudos to the MLB for using its cultural influence and purchasing power to advance ecological progress. May others follow in their green footsteps.
Source: NRDC