Zero Waste Stadium
In 2014, the Office of Sustainability, partnering with the Physical Plant and Athletics, launched the Zero Waste stadium initiative, focusing on diverting waste from football crowds from the landfill to recycling and composting efforts. This is the first major expansion of the popular “Recycle at the Rock” tailgate recycling program that began in 2008.
- In 2014, the inaugural year of the program, there was a 74 percent diversion rate
- In the five years of the program, the program has achieved an average 75 percent diversion rate
- In 2015, the program expanded to the Athletics Center, including catering and the Chancellor’s suite in Zero Waste efforts
- The Office of Sustainability and Athletics Department have worked together with vendors to ensure that packaging sold and distributed within the stadium is recyclable or compostable
- Zero Waste zones, for the collection of compost and recycling, are set up throughout the stadium and managed by student staff
- In 2018, the Office of Sustainability took over the post-game stadium cleanup, to help increase diversion rates. This undertaking has included a massive volunteer effort from groups and individuals across campus.
- In keeping with the university’s 10-year diversion goal, there is a goal of a 90 percent diversion by 2022
