Press Release
Professional Sports Teams are Embracing Recycling
Survey reveals recycling is the number one sustainability initiative among pro teams
For Immediate Release
Falmouth, MA, February 25, 2010 – ProGreenSports today released the details of its second annual survey of North American professional sports teams revealing recycling practices and trends.
Over 50 professional sports teams in the National Football League (NFL), National Basketball Association (NBA), National Hockey League (NHL) and Major League Baseball (MLB) participated in a comprehensive survey of sustainability practices.
The survey reveals that more than 60% of pro teams say they are placing a moderate or high emphasis on recycling at games and office facilities. With professional teams, recycling ranked as the most highly emphasized sustainability initiative ahead of energy conservation, energy efficiency, green building and renovation, water conservation, green cleaning, green turf management and fan transportation.
Mark McSherry, President of ProGreenSports comments that, “Pro sports teams are getting serious about going green and recycling is at the top of the list. We see more and more teams that are measuring recycle rates, conducting waste audits and setting recycle rate goals. Recycling is fan facing and teams are increasingly recognizing the sponsorship and branding opportunity”
About 75% of pro teams say they are measuring or planning to measure recycle rates in some or all of their operations. Over 60% of teams say they are conducting or planning to conduct waste audits. Over 40% of teams say they are setting recycle rate goals.
The survey also reveals that about 40% of teams say they have “extensively” implemented the use of recyclable cups and plastic ware at games while 35% say they have “extensively” implemented the use of biodegradable cups and plastic ware.
Every year, over 135 million fans attend more than 5,100 games in the NFL, NBA and NHL and MLB not including pre-season, playoffs and minor leagues games. ProGreenSports has estimated these four professional sports generate more than 80,000 tons of paper, plastic and food waste per year.
The 2009 ProGreenSports Sustainability Survey was conducted in September, 2009 and reveals detailed information on green business strategy and sustainability initiatives for recycling, energy practices, water conservation and other green efforts. The Survey Report is now available for free at the ProGreenSports web site.
Media Contact
Mark McSherry, ProGreenSports
Tel (508) 292-6991
Mark@ProGreenSports.com
www.ProGreenSports.com
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About ProGreenSports
ProGreenSports is dedicated to helping sports organizations develop the business potential of environmental sustainability programs. We have conducted the first-ever surveys of sustainability practices among professional sports teams, NCAA athletic departments and sports fans which provides us with unique insights into green practices, trends and business opportunities. Our services include sustainability assessments, fan research surveys, greenhouse gas inventories, and sponsorship planning. We have helped sports teams such as the Philadelphia Phillies improve the business potential of their sustainability programs.