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Mary Alice Curran
May 21, 2013
L&CS 122
Research Essay
Green Diamonds
As consumers and inhabitants of this planet earth, we lead by example. As Americans we
often take part in what is known as our “favorite pastime,”-- baseball. Hundreds and thousands
of Americans pack ballparks to watch the Giants, Dodgers and other major league baseball
teams. Today, Major League Baseball is going to bat for America by demonstrating how
corporate companies positively affect many Americans’ environmental ethics. We should look
forward to the improvements that are yet to be made in our world, but first we must also look to
our favorite pastime for an excellent example of how to make sustainable improvements in our
own lives as business leaders, fans, and consumers. Major League Baseball (MLB) first
demonstrated its goal of becoming a more environmentally responsible franchise and game when
it joined with the National Resources Defense Council in 2006. Through this alliance the league
has now adopted many sustainable and environmentally responsible practices known as “The
MLB Team Greening Program” (Newman, 1). Today, seven years later, we see how the MLB
greening program has made a positive impact on the sports industry, MLB as a corporation,
specific teams and stadiums, as well as baseball fans and supporters of this pastime. The league
prides itself on the fact that “All 30 MLB clubs have adopted sustainable practices and initiatives
that encourage fans to become more environmentally friendly” (Newman, 1). MLB is not only
increasing its sustainability in each stadium, but also developing programs to encourage fans to
be more environmentally responsible citizens by increasing their individual sustainability efforts.
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Major League Baseball’s work to promote environmental awareness is one example of
how collective and individual responsibility can go hand in hand with each other. Our country is
in a period in which many environmental dangers are a part of everyday life. Although we often
think of the impact our actions have on the environment, we do not realize that along with killing
the environment we are killing ourselves. The list goes on and on, food waste, lack of water,
over-usage of energy consumption, and destruction of trees. We as individuals in a collective
society have two types of responsibility to consider, individual and collective. As humans we
must develop an understanding of how individual and collective responsibility can work
together. Major League Baseball is demonstrating how individuals can work together to help the
environment as a whole. Employees of the league are encouraged to bring to work the money
saving ethic they employ at home such as turning off the lights” (Prager , 29). When we turn off
our lights at home in order to save money on our monthly bill cycle that is our individual
responsibility however when we bring that ethic to work we are producing a collective
responsibility as a company. As Geoffrey Vickers states “we develop standards of what we
expect ourselves and that these affect what we do and define what we are for others as well as
ourselves” (Vickers, 166). MLB is doing its part to develop standards of “what is right” and
employing its environmental ethic through individual workers as well as a collective franchise.
The “Team Greening Program” seeks to change and reduce strong environmental concerns we
face as a nation today.
MLB’s most impressive sustainable practices and improvements are those that have been
built from the ground up. When it comes to construction the motto becomes “green stadiums”.
The goal is for stadiums to have more green in them than the outfield grass. New stadiums are
rare because most stadiums have longevity of thirty to forty years. When MLB gets the chance to
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build new stadiums the league is left with more opportunity for sustainable and environmentally
responsible practices. The New York Mets home Citi Field was built from 95% recycled steel. I
believe the league holds the environmental ethic of obligation/ sentience when it comes to
developing new stadiums (Martell). In this case the new stadium is what flourishes when the
anthropocentric human beings of the MLB feel obligated to develop and build the stadium with
sustainability in mind considering the sentience felt by future generations of baseball fans. MLB
realizes it is a privilege to construct new stadiums with green practices but incorporating green
practices into existing stadiums is extremely beneficial too.
We can look to MLB and specifically the Minnesota Twins for guidance when it comes
to solutions for the problem of food waste our country faces. The issue of food waste and
composting sometimes does not come with an easy solution. The amount of harmful items we
use each day is enough to cause serious disease and damage to people and our environment.
Food waste is a major environmental issue that continues to grow each year in our country yet
there are viable solutions that consumers and companies can adopt in order to do their part in
protecting our environment. A report published in the Washington Post, “estimates that only 3
percent of thrown-out food in the United States is composted. Most end up in landfills, where
they decompose and release methane, a powerful heat-trapping greenhouse gas. In fact, about 23
percent of U.S. methane emissions come from landfill food” (Plummer). However, the
Minnesota Twins known as the greenest team in MLB tackles the issue of food waste through
food donation programs. Unused food such as hot dogs and hamburgers which are left over after
Twins games are donated to local charities. It is part of the teams’ partnership with Rock and
Wrap It Up Inc. a non-profit organization dedicated to fighting poverty by recovering food
(Bollinger, 1). The Twins are leading the way for future teams environmental efforts by
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partnering with a non-profit organization. The Twins are keeping untouched food out of landfills.
Rock and Wrap It Up partners with over 43,000 agencies in North America giving this option of
food sustainability and donation to other MLB and professional sports teams. The league has
also developed intense recycling efforts to encourage fans to properly dispose of their trash in the
hope that used food is not wasted entirely.
Incorporating fans into recycling efforts is a top priority for MLB. Each stadium and
team approaches their recycling and waste efforts in a slightly different way. In addition to the
Minnesota Twins food donation program the team keeps “more than 2,559 tons of waste out of
local landfills the past two years through recycling, composting and sending trash to the
Hennepin Energy Resource Center (Bollinger, 1). One of my personal favorite “greening”
inventions is found in San Francisco, on the lower concourse level of AT&T Park. Gilroy Garlic
Fries, the first green concession stand, was paid for in part by Pacific Gas & Electric Company.
Here socially responsible fans and consumers can use utensils, plates, and napkins that are
biodegradable; lights come from compact florescent bulbs; and the signature garlic fries sizzle in
energy efficient fryers. (Hyman,1). Fans and customers of this stand are aware of the Gilroy
Garlic Fries sustainable practices. The concession stand nicely publicizes their efforts. Lastly,
back across the country in Boston, the Red Sox tackle recycling efforts in a slightly different way
than other stadiums. Along with the highlighted recycled trash bins, recycling is as convenient as
staying in your seat- no need to miss a homer. The Red Sox are home to a group known as the
“Green Team”. The group composed of college- age volunteers roam the stands during the game
picking up recyclables from fans. Recycling should never be a choice, but unfortunately there are
people that lack this responsibility to the environment. The “Green Team” group eliminates any
choice fans may have when it comes to disposing their food and beverages. Through recycling
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efforts such as these, MLB brings the responsibility of recycling to their fans leading them to
make the most environmentally responsible decision.
MLB takes pride in participating in community and nationwide programs that help
eliminate environmental racism in each baseball community. In Boston the Red Sox’s were able
to participate in the Environmental Protection Agency’s Food Recovery Challenge. The Food
Recovery challenge “invites organizations nation-wide to save money through reducing,
purchasing, and lowering disposal fees for unconsumed food” (EPA). This way food stays out of
landfills and is put into the hands of people who can benefit from the nutrition. The Red Sox
strongly believe in this mission of waste reduction through composting and donations. They see
waste reduction not only as an environmental benefit but also a community benefit. Through
waste reduction programs MLB is addressing the issue of environmental racism and argues that a
person’s socioeconomic status should not determine their access to affordable and nutritious
food. Environmental Racism is present in almost every community and directly affects the health
risks of garbage disposal workers (Martinez-Alier, 252). The numerous food recovery programs
that individual MLB teams choose to adapt form a collective effort to rid unsafe disposal
practices, improve workers health conditions, and further environmental recovery. MLB’s
partnership with different environmental and anti-poverty corporations demonstrates how other
professional leagues and companies can join to eliminate and fight poverty, especially
environmental racism in their communities.
The installation of solar panels is one way MLB is making a big change in its energy
consumption and reducing its carbon footprint. Although at times it feels like we as fans and
consumers have no interest or awareness of energy consumption, reducing consumption is high
on MLB’s list of sustainable practices. To date, five MLB teams have installed solar systems at
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their stadiums: the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park, the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field, the
Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field, the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park, and the Arizona
Diamondbacks at Chase Field. One of the newest fields to install solar energy panels was
Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City. At Kauffman you will find 120 solar panels which produce
36,000 kilowatts annually (National Resources Defense Council). Tackling energy use and
developing other sources of energy help to reduce the amount of fossil fuels used in stadiums
today. MLB strongly believes that it is their obligation as a social institution to adopt sound
environmental practices which protect natural resources for future generations of baseball fans
(Newman, 1). In this effort to change practices and make every aspect of the game more
sustainable MLB hopes to reach out to each teams fan base. What many fans may not be aware
of is that the leagues practices directly affect them as a person and as a whole community. The
effort to develop new ways of sustainability seems expensive, but when one looks at the
practices in depth, the advantages become more apparent and any disadvantages slowly
disappear.
Major League Baseball, a corporate franchise, proves how going green and increasing
environmental and sustainable practices can increase profit and save teams money. Although
many people believe that corporations do the “minimum possible” when it comes to social
responsibility issues, MLB proves its fan base otherwise. MLB stands as a perfect example for
environmental activist Jonathan Porritt. Jonathan states, “If I have learned anything from my 15
years working with companies it is that people care passionately about these issues and believe
that if they get their company responding they are making a very big contribution” (Porritt, 223).
MLB certainly cares passionately about the environmental issues facing our country today.
Commissioner Bob Selig states, “Baseball is a social institution with social responsibilities, and
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caring for the environment is inextricably linked to all aspects of the game” (Newman, 1). The
league has found that a sustainable and detailed social responsibility model leads to more
opportunities and greater growth as a franchise. MLB has found that “green practices save clubs
money in addition to saving the planet” (Newman, 1). The league’s effort and desire to go green
developed from genuine concern and a need for legitimate changes in practice. MLB proves that
developing a corporate social responsibility model can lead to bigger benefits long term and
ultimately higher profits.
The Major League Baseball association has made phenomenal progress in going green
and proved the importance of community outreach and activism on and off the field. Outreach is
simply one butterfly effect the “Team Greening Program” has had on teams and players
practices. MLB promoted earth day with different teams raising awareness and improving
different sustainability issues. The Seattle Mariners staged a carbon neutral game with carbon
off-sets, renewable energy credits, and water restoration certificates to celebrate the day. The
Oakland A’s took a different approach and provided the first 10,000 fans with a redwood
seedling to inspire and raise awareness for the earth’s natural environment (Newman, 1). By
celebrating and promoting Earth Day MLB is educating fans on their sustainability efforts as a
league and inspiring community action. In addition to community events on Earth Day, specific
MLB players promote awareness in different ways. Jeremy Guthrie, a player for the Colorado,
Rockies started his own greening program titled “Guthrie Go-Green Classroom Challenge.”
During each game he personally encourages fans to submit entries into his contest which is
designed for elementary, middle, and high-school classes. The students are to present an
environmental project they have done or will do by a set deadline that will make a positive
impact on the environment (Newman, 2). Programs and contests such as the Guthrie Challenge
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promote awareness not only to students who are the change of tomorrow but also to parents and
the community as a whole. Through activism and social change, the league will be able to
change fans perspectives on the environment and provide them with education that extends
farther than a “pitch” or “hit.”
The League continues to further develop the greening program by conducting evaluations
of existing programs and looking for new ways to improve based upon results specific teams
have made thus far. One way the league and individual teams seek to understand the difference
and impact of the greening efforts was established in 2010 when the league “developed software
to collect and analyze stadium- operations data”. The MLB is the first professional sports league
to adopt the software as a means to document environmental progress and investigate the best
environmental practices at each stadium (Newman, 2). By making these groundbreaking
changes, MLB educates and makes other professional sports leagues aware of the potential they
have to adopt more sustainable practices. MLB clearly demonstrates the benefits of partnering
with the Natural Resources Defense Council.
The progress MLB has made as a league has left them with a great amount of recognition
and continued support for the initiatives and programs the league continues to adopt. The goal to
reach out to the league’s fan base has been successful and according to the Red Sox’s Katie Haas
she says the fan feedback has been consistently positive and the league has seen an
“overwhelming response” on everything they have accomplished. The sustainable practices the
league has adopted becomes obvious when you attend parks such as AT&T in San Francisco.
The accomplishments leave fans like me wanting more information while developing a deep
appreciation for the league’s work. MLB’s uniqueness sets them apart from other professional
sports teams and has lead them to be recognized at a “Sports and Sustainability” discussion held
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at the While House in July of 2012. The event was held by the White House to recognize the
“impact sports has had on the green movement”. A person does not need to look beyond what is
directly in front of their eyes to see the impact MLB has had on the green movement.
MLB is setting the standards for corporate environmental responsibility actions. As
Mark Newman states, “If you work in baseball today, you work in environmental practice. It
touches virtually everything you do” (Newman, 1). MLB has proved that environmental practice
can become commonplace in the corporate business world. If companies do not begin to take
action, how can we expect fans and consumers to do their part. Many fans and consumers may
hold their own individual environmental ethic but what MLB is helping all humans gain is a
sense of collective responsibility. We have an obligation to serve, protect and take care of our
environment and natural resources. MLB Greening Program demonstrates the League’s
obligation which has become a success story. The initiatives the program develops can only
continue to flourish in the coming years. If the strong environmental practices of MLB can
transfer to other businesses in and out of the sports industry, we as fans and consumers will see
positive changes reflected in our environment.
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Works Cited
Bollinger, Rhett. “Target Field continues to be MLB’s greenest park.” MLB.com 5 November
2012. Web.
“EPA Recognizes Red Sox for Food Waste Recycling Efforts during Mass. WasteWise Forum at
Fenway Park” redsox.com 15, November, 2012. Web. 1 May, 2013.
Fields of Green. Prager, Michael. The Environmental Magazine. May/Jun 2009, Vol. 20 Issue 3,
p26-29. 1 May 2013.
Green Grow The Ballparks. Hyman, Mark. Business Week, April 20 2009, Issue 4127, p74-74.
Martell, Luke. “On values of obligation to the environment.” The Environmental Responsibility
Reader. Martin Reynolds, Chris Blackmore, Mark J. Smith. Zed Books, 2009. 28-37.
Print.
Martinez-Alier, Joan. “Environmental justice in the United States and South Africa.” The
Environmental Responsibility Reader. Martin Reynolds, Chris Blackmore, Mark J.
Smith. Zed Books, 2009. 247-254. Print.
Newman, Mark. “Earth Day initiatives becoming commonplace.” MLB.com 22 April 2012. Web
1 May 2013.
Newman, Mark. “MLB takes part in White House sustainability forum.” MLB.com 19 July
2012. Web. 1 May 2013.
"Natural Resources Defense Council – The Earth's Best Defense | NRDC." Natural Resources
Defense Council – The Earth's Best Defense | NRDC. Web. 1 May 2013.
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Plummer, Brad. “How the U.S. manages to waste $165 billion in food each year.” The
Washington Post. 22 August, 2012. Web. 1 May 2013.
Rock and Wrap It Up! Non-Profit Organization. Web. 1 May 2013.
Vickers, Geoffrey. “Autonomous yet responsible.” The Environmental Responsibility Reader.
Martin Reynolds, Chris Blackmore, Mark J. Smith. Zed Books, 2009.165-171. Print.