Sustainability & The Florida Gators
Wednesday, September 6, 2017 | Football
The University Athletic Association is committed to be the first campus unit to achieve the University's overall sustainability goals.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Change is constant on a college campus. However, the culture of a University itself will last forever.
Enter the Office of Sustainability at the University of Florida.
Since the first year of the program in 2013, the University Athletic Association began moving toward its goal of zero waste athletic events by utilizing composting along with recycling at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
During that inaugural season, there was a 78 percent landfill diversion rate by the last game of the season.
Since that time, the UAA has hired Oppong Hemeng as its Athletic Sustainability Coordinator, the only position of its kind in collegiate athletics.
Hemeng has led the charge towards sustainability inside Ben Hill Griffin Stadium over the past three seasons. This year, every item sold at a concession stand inside The Swamp is designated as either compostable or recyclable. Waste bins located throughout the stadium are labeled with signs and photos directing fans to the appropriate location to dispose of those items.
Inside the stadium, the Zero Waste Team sorts recyclables and compostable products into bins and educates fans on the sustainable impact the program has on the athletic program. Compostable materials are hauled by sustainability partner WCA to Watson C&D to be turned into a nutrient-rich soil that is returned and used on Steve Spurrier-Florida Field.
Mission Statement
The UAA is committed to the University of Florida's Zero Waste Goal and work in partnership with the UF Office of Sustainability.
In association with local partner We Are Neutral, the Gators held the first Carbon Neutral NCAA Football Game and the first Carbon Neutral football season, and are home to the first Carbon Neutral athletic department.
The James W. "Bill" Heavener Football Complex is the first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum athletic facility in the country, and the first LEED Platinum Facility in the state of Florida.
The UF athletic program was recognized as one of 10 case studies of leadership in the Nation for the National Resources Defense Council's Collegiate Game Changers Report – August, 26, 2013.
UF was the 15th Collegiate Member of the Green Sports Alliance and the first university from the SEC to join.
Carbon Neutrality
The University of Florida and the UAA take a two-pronged approach to carbon neutrality:
- Reducing the output of carbon emissions
- Offsetting what the carbon that must be emitted
Florida was the first athletic department in the country to become carbon neutral, as a part of the University's goal to become carbon neutral by 2025.
Green Tailgating Tips: What Can We Do To Help?
Know what IS recyclable outside of the stadium: glass and plastic bottles, aluminum cans; and what is NOT: red solo cups, cardboard, Styrofoam, and food items.
For popular tailgating spots further from the core of campus, look for the self-service TailGator Recycling Stations to pick up blue recycling bags for glass and plastic bottles and aluminum cans. TailGator Teams also make rounds on campus during game days to pass out these bags. When each bag is full, it just needs to be tied up and left it next to a trash or recycling can for pick-up.
Other tips include:
- Fans should carpool to their tailgate spot, and encourage visitors to ride the bus, ride a bike, or walk to come cheer on the Gators.
- Buy tailgating supplies with recycled content, and in bulk. Fans can reduce packaging waste and save money!
- Buy locally sourced food: Decreasing the distance that food has to travel will reduce the carbon footprint and support the local economy.
- Bring a reusable water bottle for tailgating. Fans can refill their bottle at a number of water fountains on campus.
- When tailgate shopping, fans can bring their own reusable bags. They're easier to carry and create less trash.
Remember, 'Put it in the right can, Gator fan.'
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