University Athletic Departments Place High Priority on Recycling
Survey reveals recycling is the number one sustainability initiative among NCAA athletic departments
For Immediate Release
Falmouth, MA, July 8, 2010 – ProGreenSports today released the details of its second annual survey of large collegiate athletic departments revealing recycling practices and trends.
Over 70 FBS Division University athletic departments in the United States participated in a comprehensive survey of sustainability practices.
The survey reveals that more than 65% of athletic departments say they are placing a “high” or “very high” emphasis on recycling at sporting events. With college athletic departments, 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, “College Athletic departments are getting on board with the green trend and recycling is at the top of the list. The trend is to get more serious about measuring and methodically improving the recycling programs. ” About 25% of athletic departments are conducting or planning to conduct waste audits. About 35% are measuring or planning to measure the diversion rate for some or all of athletic department operations.
McSherry adds, “There is clearly an opportunity for improvement though. Overall, athletic departments report an average overall diversion rate of about 20% while the University of Colorado at Boulder has reported a diversion rate of about 90% at Folsom Field.”
The survey also reveals that about 35% of athletic departments have “extensively” implemented single stream (fully co-mingled) recycle bins at event venues. Over 30% of athletic departments say they conduct “extensive” post-game bowl sweeps for recyclable materials. The survey indicates that composting of food waste represents the greatest opportunity for improving the diversion rate – over 35% of athletic departments say that food waste represents the largest portion of the current waste stream.
The 2010 NCAA Athletic Department Sustainability Survey was conducted in May, 2010 and reveals detailed information on green business strategy and sustainability initiatives for recycling, energy practices, water conservation and other green efforts. The Survey Report and full survey results are 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.