Dive Brief:
- The University of Tennessee has ramped up efforts to recycle during its football games.
- UT Recycling set a goal to divert a minimum of 50% of the waste produced on game days during the 2014 season. The program is called “Zero Waste Game Days.”
- During the first two home games, the program collected more than 50% of recyclables and organics; totaling more than 35 tons.
Dive Insight:
Jay Price, UT's recycling manager, said that the sports fans are excited about recycling and are helping to propel the stadium to divert waste materials through their enthusiasm.
UT Recycling implemented a number of ways to increase recycling on game day. The group partnered with Aramark to compost or donate food waste from more than 20 concession stands located throughout the stadium. It also sends out team members to physically collect recycling form fans. Recycling bins encourage fans to toss used materials into the receptacle, and make it easy for everyone to use. The group also launched a campaign, “Get Caught Green Handed,” encouraging fans to recycle by awarding winners a signed football. The biggest change took place when cleaning crews started separating materials for recycling that had been left behind in the seats.