This is a guest post from Eco News Network, exploring how Super Bowl 2012 is going green and supporting the environment.
Super Bowl XLVI is almost here! The football championship game on Sunday, Feb. 5 will draw millions of viewers to watch the New York Giants and the New England Patriots go head-to-head. To get all you fans pumped up for one of the biggest sports games, we’ve researched how this year’s Super Bowl is going green and found the teams will be playing in an eco-friendly stadium.
This year’s Super Bowl will be held at Indianapolis’ Lucas Oil Stadium marking the 19th year of incorporating green initiatives. So, here are the top five ways the big event will give back to the planet!
1. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Reduce, reuse, recycle are three words that can truly make a difference. Nearly 60 tons of aluminum cans, plastic bottles, cardboard and glass were recycled at the Indiana Convention Center & Lucas Oil Stadium in 2010. That’s just one year! The stadium also implements “The Enhanced Sports Stadium Recycling Program,” increasing recycling and improving the good deed at all Indianapolis sports stadiums. So, if you’re attending the Super Bowl, be sure to stick with the recycling program, and if you’re at home do so as well!
2. Water Conservation
Another great factor at the Colts stadium is instead of handing out individual plastic water bottles, water stations are provided. How great is that? You can quench your thirst be green. Faucets also contain sensors to help with water conservation, toilets have low flow valves and instead of spraying down parking lots after fans have left, they are swept clean. Yes, it seems like more work, but you have to work for a cleaner environment.
3. Food Freshness & Rescue
The stadium has established partnerships with local farmers, so attendees can enjoy only the freshest fruits, vegetables, meats and poultry when it comes to eating. Now, what happens to all the food that isn’t consumed? Well, the food rescue program Second Helpings reclaims all the food after an event is finished and takes it to their kitchen. Local residents can learn from trained chefs how to prepare food, which is then given to homeless shelters and missions throughout Indianapolis.
4. Lighting & Energy Use
The Convention Center does all it can to reduce energy use. A high-efficiency exterior Visionwall® glass is installed to keep energy use low. Another great factor is natural light is used versus electricity in lobby areas; after all isn’t that what the sun should be used for? Exterior lighting is also placed on low-levels when a game, concert or an event isn’t occurring. Many other items are incorporated throughout the center for minimal energy consumption including a retractable roof.
5. Biodegradable Serviceware
Rather than using china and silverware, which is obviously very popular at sporting events, the Lucas Oil Stadium provides an entire line of biodegradable and disposable serviceware products. No need to worry about toxic substances when using the bathroom, as the stadium cleans with Green Seal Certified products. In addition, when eating and washing your hands you get to be close with Mother Earth once again, since paper towel and tissue products are made from 100 percent recycled material.
It’s great to see sports stadiums taking care of the planet, especially when it’s the Super Bowl. Championship games can be extravagant, fun and exciting, all while showing love to the environment.
-Allyson Koerner
Allyson Koerner is the assistant managing editor and contributing writer at Eco News Network, a sustainable news site providing news, trends and commentary on a variety of green topics such as home and design, pets, businesses and pop culture.
Photo Credit: Super Bowl Host Committee, Flickr/Just_Bryan
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