What Sports Stadiums Are Doing To Be More Eco-Friendly
When it comes to sustainability, a sports stadium is typically the last place that comes to mind. Between the high-powered lighting, cooking food to feed thousands of people, and plastic cups being tossed left and right, it’s nearly impossible to keep track of the amount of wasted energy and resources.
The good news is that there’s a growing trend among sports arenas to reduce their carbon footprint. According to a recent article in the New York Times, many sports stadiums are becoming “showcases for green design,” with leagues “wrapping themselves in eco-friendly banners to help market their sports.”
At the top of the list is the Mercedes Benz Stadium: the first to win the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Platinum certification. This certification is based on sustainable design and energy efficiency and is given by the United States Green Building Council.
The roof holds up to 680,000 gallons of rainwater, which not only decreases the amount of flooding in the surrounding area, but the runoff is used to water the plants around the building. Now that’s a win-win!
Also paving the way in green architecture, the Arizona Diamondbacks have a seventeen-thousand square foot, solar-powered pavilion. Besides, they have LED concourse lights, low-flow sinks and toilets and electric vehicle charging stations.
“We really want to get out in front and help influence other businesses or other sports teams in our market to say let’s kind of lock arms and go down this road together,” says Graham Rossini, the Arizona Diamondbacks’ vice president of special projects and fan experience.
Not to mention, green arenas are cheaper to maintain – an added bonus for team owners and building operators.
What’s Next
Soon, more sports venues will be held accountable for their carbon footprint. The National Hockey League is already on board – mandating teams to track their consumed resources, waste produced and emissions from travel. After gathering all of the information, the N.H.L. shares it with the teams to continuously improve their sustainability efforts.
“The N.H.L. takes this project seriously because it sees a direct threat from rising global temperatures,” The New York Times reports. “The number of ponds that freeze over in winter has fallen dramatically in recent years, making the sport less accessible in countries like Canada, where many children first start playing the game outdoors. Going green is a way to address a long-term threat, not just save money.”
As of October 2019, the Pepsi Center teamed up with Ball Corporation to provide some drinks in aluminum cups. Per PRNewswire, "Ball and KSE hope that the introduction of the aluminum cup will inspire good recycling habits."
Not totally sure how sustainability and sports stadiums play together? Find out why eco-friendly living is so important for businesses, individuals, and the world.
Want to create a greener working environment at your office? Read 3 Ways to Go Green at Work (Without Putting in Too Much Extra Work).