UW Athletics-Reaching Greener Seasons: Executive Summary
Team Members
Andrew Elston, Bronson Pate, Kristy Henderson
Project Summary
The purpose of this project was to utilize collegiate sporting events at UW to raise
awareness about campus sustainability through collaborative efforts between Campus
Sustainability students, UW Recycling, and the UW Athletics Department as well as the state
of Wyoming.
In order to move closer to the ultimate goal of a net-zero season, which would recycle or
compost all waste produced at sporting events and offset energy consumed, this project
contributed to the facilitation of recycling at UW’s major athletic venues and analyzes the
feasibility of incorporating environmentally-friendly concession products at athletic events.
Each year, the University of Wyoming (UW) consistently draws thousands of fans to its
athletic events. At these events, a great deal of waste is generated. Incorporating
environmentally friendly products and making recycling bins available at athletic events is
an ideal opportunity to initiate action at UW toward a more sustainable campus. Improving
sustainability at athletic events will significantly reduce UW’s carbon emissions as well as
reach a large number of people to raise awareness regarding climate change and
sustainability issues.
Background
In recent years, surrounding institutions, such as University of Colorado at Boulder and
Colorado State University, have implemented zero-waste events into their athletic
programs. The boosters, alumni, and financial supporters of UW Athletics have taken note
of what competing institutions have been able to accomplish, and have been pushing UW
Athletics to increase its effort in promoting athletic sustainability.
Given the large number of fans that attend UW athletic events and the great amount of
pressure coming from UW Athletic supporters, the concept of net-zero waste seasons at
UW are becoming more of a reality. However, a number of steps must be taken within
several departments before zero waste events can take place.
This project was the perfect opportunity for UW students, UW Athletics and UW Recycling
to begin working together to take the first steps toward achieving net-zero waste goals. On
this project, UW students worked with: Bill Sparks, Senior Associate Athletic Director and
CFO of the UW Athletics Department, Colin Jake, food service supervisor, Kevin McKinney,
senior associate of advertising, Tod Scott, waste stream manager at UW, and the UW Center
for Volunteer Services.
Process
Research for this project began with meetings with UW Athletics and UW Recycling to gain
perspective regarding the current situation surrounding sustainability at athletic events. The
next stage of research consisted of researching institutions similar to UW regarding
sustainability efforts at athletic events. A cost analysis was then performed in order to
determine the feasibility of incorporating environmentally friendly product at UW
concessions. Additionally, basketball recycling data was collected from Tod Scott and UW
Recycling and compiled to assess the effectiveness of newly placed recycling bins. Maps of
War Memorial Stadium and surrounding areas were collected to illustrate ideal locations to
provide recycling bins. Finally, research results were used to analyze possible steps that
could be taken by UW in the near future to increase sustainability at UW athletic events.
Project Goals
1. Assess feasibility of incorporating environmentally-friendly concession products at
UW sporting events
90% of the profit for athletic concessions is generated at football and basketball
events. Of the 90% generated at these events, 50% of the profit is generated from
beverage sales. In order to make the greatest sustainable impact, this project’s
primary goal regarding concession products was to provide a cost analysis of
incorporating compostable cups at UW home games.
2. Analyze effectiveness of current recycling program at Arena Auditorium during
basketball games.
Recycling bins provided by UW Foundation were placed in the Arena Auditorium at
UW during the 2008-2009 basketball season. The last three weeks of the season,
data was collected pertaining to the amount of recyclables generated from
basketball games in order to analyze the effectiveness of the newly placed recycling
bins.
3. Establish efficient locations and marketing strategies for recycling bins at War
Memorial Stadium and surrounding drinking areas
There is a great deal of waste produced at football games. In addition, a large
amount of waste is also produced in open-container areas surrounding the stadium
before and after home games. This project aimed to determine the most effective
locations and marketing strategies for the recycling bins throughout War Memorial
Stadium as well as among surrounding drinking areas.
Results
1. Feasibility of incorporating environmentally-friendly concession products
Through communications with possible compostable cup providers and UW’s
current beverage distributor, it was found that UW Athletics Concessions would pay
about $0.07 more than they currently pay per cup to switch to a compostable cup.
Given this price difference in relation to the retail price of a beverage sold at home
games, incorporating a compostable cup at athletic events is feasible.
2. Effectiveness of current recycling program at Arena Auditorium
Approximately 600 plastic bottles were recycled at each home basketball game
during the last 6 games of the season. If fans continue to recycle at this rate, an
estimated 19,200 plastic bottles would be recycled in a season of 32 home games.
Considering the small amount of marketing performed to promote recycling at
basketball games, and the fact that a total of only 3,280 water bottles were
purchased throughout the 2007-2008 season, it can be concluded that many fans
utilized the newly placed recycling bins at Arena Auditorium.
3. Strategies for efficient locations and marketing of recycling bins at War Memorial
Stadium and surrounding drinking areas
Based on the number of bins available, current fire code restrictions, and circulation
patterns of fans, a diagram illustrating ideal bin locations at War Memorial Stadium
and a figure highlighting key locations to place recycling bins in drinking areas were
provided in the final report of this project. A photo of a little girl recycling on Jonah
Field with UW’s mascot, Pistol Pete, giving a thumbs up was developed to be
displayed on the mini-tron at football games. UW Athletics have agreed to try to air
public announcements during half-time or between dead balls at basketball games,
rather than 15 minutes before tip-off.
Recommendations for Further Action
1. Incorporate compostable concession products at UW athletic events
Given the feasibility of switching to compostable cups at athletic events and the
support from financial providers to increase sustainability efforts at athletic events,
it is recommended to follow through with switching from plastic-coated Pepsi cups
to compostable Eco-Products Inc. cups. In addition, further research should be
conducted regarding the feasibility of incorporating other environmentally-friendly
products that can be used by UW Athletics Concessions.
2. Increase marketing of current recycling program at Arena Auditorium and future
program at War Memorial Stadium
While the new recycling bins have proven to be effective at Arena Auditorium, it is
likely that a more thoughtful marketing strategy, such as a themed campaign and
business-sponsored announcements, would further increase the amount of
recycling that takes place at basketball games as well as facilitate the success of
recycling bins at football games. The large amount of people who attend these
games would also provide a great opportunity to raise awareness regarding campus
sustainability issues through marketing efforts.
3. Create 5-year plan with UW Athletics to reach a net-zero waste season
This project was intended to be a step toward achieving the ultimate goal of a netzero waste season. This project established connections among separate entities
that contribute to increasing sustainability at UW athletic events. In order to make a
net-zero waste season at UW a reality, a plan that establishes the roles of involved
parties and actions to be taken must be developed. This plan’s ultimate goal should
be achieving a net-zero waste season and must include timelines by which tasks
shall be completed as well as a commitment from UW Athletics to make every effort
possible to see the plan through. Bronson Pate plans to perform an independent
study to begin discussions of what this plan might look like as well as further the
efforts initiated by this project.