10/21/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
Homecoming game vs. Minnesota expected to serve as milestone game for third-year program
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Just past the mid-point of its third year, the Ohio State University’s Scarlet, Gray and Green sustainability program is on the verge of eclipsing 200 total tons of recyclable materials on football home dates in and around Ohio Stadium. Currently the program total stands at more than 196 tons entering the homecoming game vs. Minnesota Saturday.
Through four home contests this season, the program has gathered more than 47 tons of materials, including more than seven tons at the Oct. 10 victory over Wisconsin. Inside the stadium, the program has pulled in just above 21 tons and tailgaters in the parking lots surrounding campus have contributed more than 26 tons.
Despite damp conditions Sept. 26 vs. Illinois, SG&G gathered better than 4.5 tons of material inside Ohio Stadium and nearly doubled that figure with 8.36 tons collected in the tailgate lots surrounding the Horseshoe on campus.
At the USC game Sept. 12, SG&G established a record for tailgate recycling, taking in more than 11 tons of material from the lots surrounding Ohio Stadium. SG&G exceeded its own expectations for the 2009 opener vs. Navy Sept. 5, when the campaign gathered more than 10 tons of recyclable materials, marking 114 percent of its goal.
At each home game, tailgaters receive white plastic recycling bags to encourage collection of bottles, cans, paper and cardboard. Fans then can deposit the bags into scarlet recycling dumpsters located in tailgate lots on campus.
Several new SG&G initiatives have been introduced this year as 12 solar-powered recyclable-compacting receptacles have been deployed around the Fan Fest area south of St. John Arena and near the north rotunda of Ohio Stadium.
The trial for a “zero-waste” concession stand also made its debut Sept. 5 in Section 19A of Ohio Stadium. In cooperation with stadium concessions provider, Sodexo Sports & Leisure Services, compostable serving containers are being tested at 19A to determine its feasibility as an alternative to non-compostable serve ware. Using compostable serve ware will eliminate refuse by converting all food products and serving containers into compostable or recyclable materials.
Pedal Instead
The “Pedal Instead” program provides bicycle valet service during the Ohio State home football games. To start the season, the corral took in more than 450 bikes vs. Navy Sept. 5, fully utilizing a new overflow area reserved on the basketball courts just south of Drake Union.
The main Pedal Instead Bike Corral is located on the south side of Woody Hayes Drive on the east side of the bike path. Bicyclists are provided with a “claim check” and can retrieve their bicycles after the game. Donations for the service are accepted.
About Scarlet, Gray and Green Home Game Recycling Program
The collaborative recycling effort between the Ohio State Department of Athletics and Office of Business and Finance began in January 2007. The University initiated a sustainability program both in the stadium and at the tailgating lots to help address the amount of trash generated on campus at Buckeye football home games.
Recycling is one element of the University’s Scarlet, Gray & Green sustainability program. In fall 2009, a grant from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources will be used to purchase recycling containers for all classroom areas. Additional efforts include:
- Campus bio-diesel conversion
- Green office supplies
- Energy-saving lights
- Green Building Design Construction
- Building energy audits
- Implementation of energy conservation projects
