By Gil Fried and Michael Pfahl
The University of New Haven and Ohio University have conducted an extensive review of professional sport leagues green initiatives and have developed a ranking of some of the best industry practices. The initial research was conducted using internet research to identify any stories highlighting what a team, stadium/arena, or league was undertaking in six key categories- site sustainability, water conservation, energy efficiency, recycling efforts, transportation, and food conservation. Additional research attempted to uncover material sources, green fan education, giveaways, green ticketing programs, and other green efforts. The primary ranking system though focused on the six key categories. Besides the extensive internet search, surveys were sent out to all team and/or facility officials. Only 12 responses were received for a response rate of 8.57 percent. The material obtained from the surveys were designed to verify data obtained from Internet resources.
It should be noted that a number of leagues have league wide green policies. However, this study was designed to examine what specific teams were undertaking. Thus, a number of teams did not have an official green policy or no green initiatives were found highlighted on the Internet. This does not mean that the team did not engage in green efforts, it might mean that the team does not adequate communicate green efforts and more attention should be spent by the team to highlight exactly what they are doing to help reach out to green conscious fans. Some teams also might not be communicating their current policies since they are moving or have recently moved to new facilities as of the time this data was collected (December 2009-March 2010).
Major League Baseball (MLB)
Team Number of six key categories covered
San Diego Padres 6
Tampa Bay Rays 6
Los Angeles Dodgers 5
Minnesota Twins 5
New York Mets 5
New York Yankees 5
Chicago White Sox 4
Houston Astros 4
Washington Nationals 4
Boston Red Sox 3
Detroit Tigers 3
Philadelphia Phillies 3
San Francisco Giants 3
Toronto Blue Jays 3
No independent green policy was available online for the following teams: Arizona Diamondbacks, Atlanta Braves, Baltimore Orioles, Florida Marlins, Kansas City Royals, Los Angeles Angels, Milwaukee Brewers, Seattle Mariners, and Texas Rangers.
National Football League (NFL)
Team Number of six key categories covered
Atlanta Falcons 6
Seattle Seahawks 6
Baltimore Ravens 5
Green Bay Packers 4
Philadelphia Eagles 4
Arizona Cardinals 3
Dallas Cowboys 3
No independent green policy was available online for the following teams: Buffalo Bills, Carolina Panthers, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions, Jacksonville Jaguars, Kansas City Chiefs, New York Giants, New York Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers, San Diego Chargers, San Francisco 49ers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Washington Redskins.
National Basketball Association (NBA)
Team Number of six key categories covered
Denver Nuggets 6
Portland Trailblazers 6
Charlotte Bobcats 4
Los Angeles Lakers 4 (facility shared with Los Angeles Clippers)
Toronto Raptors 4
Houston Rockets 3
Orlando Magic 3
Phoenix Suns 3
San Antonio Spurs 3
No independent green policy was available online for the following teams: Atlanta hawks, Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, Detroit Pistons, Golden State Warriors, Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves, New Orleans Hornets, New York Knicks, Oklahoma City Thunder, Orlando Magic, Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns, Sacramento Kings, San Antonio Spurs, Toronto Raptors, Utah Jazz, and Washington Wizards.
National Hockey League (NHL)
Team Number of six key categories covered
Minnesota Wild 6
Boston Bruins 5
Los Angeles Kings 5
Columbus Blue Jackets 4
Toronto Maple Leafs 4
Colorado Avalanche 3
No independent green policy was available online for the following teams: Anaheim Ducks, Calgary Flames, Carolina Hurricanes, Dallas Stars, Detroit Red Wings, Edmonton Oilers, Nashville Predators, New Jersey Devils, New York Rangers, Saint Louis Blues, Tampa Bay Lightning, Vancouver Canucks, and Washington Capitals.
Major League Soccer (MLS)
Team Number of six key categories covered
Colorado Rapids 4
San Jose Earthquakes 2
MLB Analysis
San Diego Padres
The Padres have won numerous awards recycler of the year, waste reduction awards, and other state and federal awards. The Padres have been a leader in recycling efforts and recycled 37 percent of their waste in 2008 and upped their effort to 45 percent in 2009. Besides staff recycling, at the conclusion of every game or major event, the waste left by fans is sorted into trash and recyclables for collection service. The team also recycles a significant amount of cardboard. Other items recycled includes: Cooking oil (800-1,600 pounds a month), food scraps turned into mulch, grass clippings turned into compost, donating reusable sod, e-cycling electronic equipment, shredding staff uniforms to create reusable paper products , and collecting polyethylene and recycling the material into decking, railing, and fencing. Fans are encouraged to ride bikes and a special bike parking area has been established.
Toilets and other bathroom fixtures have time control features to shut them off automatically. Drip irrigation systems were used and attached to timers to prevent over-watering. The team has been switching to CFL and florescent bulbs where ever possible. Variable frequency drives (VFDs) were incorporated into all larger motors (over 25 horsepower) to vary the motor speed based on required load. Computer Assisted Facility Management (CAFM) is used to help reduce the usage of HVAC, lighting, and other systems.
Innovative green solutions include a reverse vending machine where fans can deposit their empty beverage containers and can possibly win prizes. Fans are also motivated through signage and videos encouraging green solutions. Employees are also required to attend trainings throughout each baseball season to help them appreciate the green strategies undertaken by the team. The Padres have inserted a “Go Green” section was inserted into the employee newsletter distributed to all employees before each home game. The team has also hosted a variety of event to collect clothes and promote green causes.
Tampa Bay Rays
Back in 2008 the Rays handed out recycling fact sheets and plastic bags to make it easy for fans to properly dispose of their plastic cans and bottles. This was just one of the steps undertaken by the team when they launched their green initiative called Teaming Up for the Environment. The franchise was working toward sustainability in its business practices, ballpark operations and more. For example the team launched a recycling initiative – called the Clean-Up Hitters — that diverted hundreds of thousands of cans and bottles from the waste stream. During the sixth inning of every home game, a group collects bottles from fans in what has become an enthusiastic tradition. Fans are also encouraged to commute and a free bus services helps make commuting easier for fans.
Time release faucets have been installed to avoid having a faucet being left on for an extended period of time. Similar to the padres, the Rays have a state-of-the-art CAFM system to control electronic fixtures. The Rays maintain “Rays Garden,” an area containing native Florida plant life as well as animal life used to educate fans as well as beautify the property.
It is not just the team who is acting green. To be successful all affiliated partners such as concessionaires also must be involved. Tropicana Field’s concessionaire, Centerplate, also shifted concession supplies to recyclable, compostable and biodegradable products, including replacing petroleum-based cups with corn oil-based cups.
NFL Analysis
Atlanta Falcons
The Georgia Dome is part of a 200-acre campus and thus has launched the GEORGIA DOME Growing Green Initiatives. The Georgia Dome and Levy Restaurants, the Dome’s exclusive caterer, work closely with the Atlanta Community Food Bank to ensure left over food and supplies from events do not go to waste. Over 30,000 lbs. of food were donated in FY2008.
Georgia Dome employees participated in a four-part workshop series called “Growing Green.” The employee bimonthly newsletter contains green facts and tips in each issue and a green reference library for employees was developed.
The Falcons have put an increased emphasis on recycling. During just the last three months of 2008, over 19,700 lbs. of waste were diverted from the landfill via recycling efforts. A baler is now used for recycling corrugated board and every office has a blue recycling container. Aluminum cans are recycled after every game.
Green supplies are being purchased for everything from cleaning supplies to recycling containers.
Over the years the Dome has installed energy efficient light fixtures, televisions and kitchen equipment; sink aerators; low flow urinals and toilets that reduced water consumption from 3 to 1.5 and 5 to 1.5 gallons respectively; energy and water efficient cooling towers; and motion activated sensors were added to the light fixtures in every administrative office and storage room to reduce electricity use. Windows were installed with high E-rating to help save money and regulate temperatures. Low VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) adhesives were used during prior renovation efforts and water based paints also reduced chemical related concerns.
Seattle Seahawks
The team’s primary focus over the past couple years has been in the area of waste diversion. In 2006 the Seahawks recycled less than 10% of their trash. In 2009, they reached a diversion rate of 48%. Trash is source separated and recycled in 17 different waste streams. Moving forward with an aggressive composting program in 2010, the team expects to be in the 60% recycling range this year. The team is very proactive and they are now looking at many initiatives from LEED-EBOM certification, rainwater harvesting, solar PV and an energy retrofit projects.
The team currently has an active building management (BMS – but the same as a CAFM system) and lighting control systems. These have been further refined to provide better scheduling and controls of electronic systems.
NBA Analysis
Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets have taken numerous steps to improve the environmental footprint of the Pepsi Center including re-designing the landscaping to include more eco-friendly and drought-tolerant plants, using energy efficient lighting systems, and creating parking spaces for environmentally-friendly vehicles and no idling policies in areas in front of the Pepsi Center. In addition, the team has added new technology to improve the recycling of cardboard previously bound for landfills, developed internal and external recycling and awareness practices, and are selling fryer oil as bio-fuel. Most notably, the Nuggets became the first sports organization/sports venue to join the EPA’s Climate Leaders program, an industry-government partnership designed to inventory and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The team also works with the Rocky Mountain Greener Venues partnership, Waste Wise, a solid waste reduction program, and Water Sense, a water efficiency program.
Portland Trailblazers
The Portland Trailblazers also provide a green policy via their website and were the first major sports team to receive LEED Gold Certification for their facility. Team personnel take dramatic steps to understand the team/facility’s environmental footprint. For example, in addition to recycling, lighting systems, and maintenance operations, the Rose Garden is scanned using infra-red thermal imaging equipment to aid in problem identification. The team also partners with local energy companies to use renewable energy sources to power the Rose Garden. Through extensive recycling and composting practices, the Trailblazers hope to ensure 60 percent of their waste is diverted from landfills (approximately 800 tons annually). The Trailblazer fans work in conjunction with the team by having nearly 30 percent of the fans in attendance at a game arriving by public or alternative transportation options and even have electric vehicle charging stations in VIP areas of the parking spaces. To continue to contribute to and work with the local community, the Trailblazers source 50 percent of their food and beverage needs from local vendors, 70 percent of which meets sustainable practices criteria. Suppliers and the Trailblazers work together on strict purchasing practices (e.g., 100 percent recycled trash bin liners). Both team personnel and fan volunteers for Rose Garden recycling centers are constantly trained in sustainability practices.
NHL Analysis
Minnesota Wild
All facilities are heated and cooled only when occupied, using renewable energy provided by District Energy. IT Blade/Server Configuration not only saves on power, but also drastically reduces heat. With help from a federal grant, the Wild recently replaced the lighting in the Saint Paul RiverCentre parking ramp with more energy efficient fixtures. By replacing over 900 old fixtures, they will reduce the ramp’s electricity use by 47% percent and have an annual savings of approximately $60,000. Additionally, the facilities are equipped with a computer controlled lighting system that is able to monitor light usage 24-7. Lights are dimmed or turned off whenever possible. The team worked with District Energy and the City of Saint Paul, with grant funding from the Department of Energy’s Solar Cities Initiative, to install a large solar thermal array on the roof of the RiverCentre. The 1Mega Watt project is designed to provide for nearly all the heat and hot water requirements of the RiverCentre.
The team sports nearly a 1:1 trash can to recycling bin ratio (plastics, newspapers, game programs). They offer an extensive recycling program, which includes the recycling of nearly all salvageable trash on including aluminum and foodservice cans and bottles, glass, plastic, cardboard, metal, paper, light bulbs, cooking oil, shrink wrap, and compostable waste. Multi-stream containers collect paper, plastic and glass. The team is implemented a program to reduce trash by 1.2 million pounds and increase the amount recycled to 50% by the summer of 2011. Xcel Energy Center and Saint Paul RiverCentre have completely reorganized back-of-house infrastructure and added composting as a new recycling stream. Composting will be added to public areas at Xcel Energy Center in the future.
MLS Analysis
Colorado Rapids
The Colorado Rapids and San Jose Earthquakes were the top performers in Major League Soccer (MLS). The Rapids’ major program is the Play Clean game. During this game, the team reduced its energy usage for scoreboard and video screens by 50 percent, have cellular telephone recycling center, and a recycle minute during the match (60th minute) when fans can recycle materials accumulated during the game. Fans who wished to recycle the opposing team’s jersey received a merchandise discount. A special Play Clean zone is set up in the stadium and includes recycling areas, environmental education programming, and vendors of all sorts. Fans who carpooled or arrived in hybrid vehicles received preferred parking places and eTickets were available in lieu of traditional paper ones. The Rapids engaged the community by reaching out to local business and community groups to take part in various activities throughout the game.
The San Jose Earthquakes partnered with Green-E Energy and the city of Santa Clara’s Green Power program to off-set stadium energy used for a green game (25 July 2009) through donation of a percentage of the evening’s ticket revenue to the program. Fans were also welcomed for a tour a solar powered house in Santa Clara. Additionally, during the day of the game, Earthquakes staff and that of corporate partners participated in a tree planting and park cleaning project. An Earthquakes corporate partner donated 250 tickets to local area children to attend the game and learn more about sustainability efforts. As a bonus, the first 1,000 fans received a reusable tote bag and parking discounts were available to fans with hybrid automobiles or ticket discounts for those who arrived by public transportation.
Conclusions
Going green is not just a marketing gimmick, but a way of life for some people. These individuals can be some of the most devoted fans a team can have and they want to know that a team is doing as much as possible to benefit the environment or reduce their carbon footprint. While every league has developed a “green policy,” not every team has embraced the concept. Teams might be concerned about the cost to green their organization and operations. Other teams might be engaged in green practices, but do not properly communicate what they do with fans and the general public.
This study has been able to find some teams in each league that has excelled in going green and the authors hope that more teams follow suit when the study is conducted next year.
Fried is the Professor and Chair in the Sport Management/Hospitality and Tourism Management Department in the College of Business at the University of New Haven. Dr. Pfahl is an Assistant Professor of Sport Administration in the College of Business at Ohio University. Fried can be reached at 203-932-7081 or gfried@newhaven.edu. Pfahl can be reached at 740-597-3108 or pfahl@ohio.edu
