As football season kicks off, Ohio State’s massive stadium aims to say goodbye to the landfill with new recycling and composting programs.
This season, Ohio State will ask fans to add green to their scarlet and gray in order to turn Ohio Stadium into a zero-waste zone.
The term “zero waste” refers to a 90 percent diversion rate of trash from landfills, which is achieved by recycling and composting. In order to achieve that goal, most items purchased inside Ohio Stadium will be either recyclable or compostable.
Volunteers, additional staff, and signage will be in place starting with the home opener on Sept. 3 to help with the education process. Tailgate lots will continue to use trash and recycling dumpsters as well as white recycling bags.
The Horseshoe’s green initiative is just a small part of the Ohio State’s overall commitment to sustainability, which includes campus-wide recycling efforts, clean energy and environmental research, green curriculum, and green building practices.
If you’ll be visiting Ohio Stadium this season, here’s what you’ll need to know.
- No trash talk. There will be no trash bins at Ohio Stadium. Instead, bins for recycling and composting will be available throughout the stadium.
- Compost your crumbs. Any food or paper items — napkins/paper towels and popcorn/pizza boxes — are compostable and should go in the gray containers.
- Red is for recycle. Anything that is not compostable — plastic bottles, aluminum cans, and magazine/copy paper — belongs in the scarlet recycling bins. When in doubt? Recycle.
Source: Ohio State Athletics
Ldavis
September 12th, 2011
I recently saw some pieces on shows like CNN and the journal with Joan Lunden on PBS that were talking about issues and solutions for industrial recycling. This is a huge step for a major business to take in this area. It’s easy to just keep going along with the status quo but every so often one at a time some key organizations are leading the way. I am personally impressed and wish the best to Ohio state.
David Guion
September 22nd, 2011
Zero waste to landfill is beginning to look less like a pipe dream and more like an achievable goal if enough organizations get in on the act. I have written about Thomas Built Buses and know about the strides Walmart has made. This is the first effort I have read about that demands so much public cooperation. As one who long hated “Big 2 Little 8″ it almost hurts to write this, but bravo OSU!
Dan
September 28th, 2011
Here is ohio states official Zero Waste Website go.osu.edu/zerowaste
Cindy Grapner
September 28th, 2011
AWSOME! If we all pitch in a little bit, it makes a ho lot of difference. In the past I didn’t pay much attention to the recycle effort, now I feel guilty if I throw a piece of paper in the trash. My recycle bags far outweigh my garbage bags. Awsome website too!