Beaver Stadium was recently used as a case study in Green Sports Alliance’s “Food Waste Diversion and Compostable Packaging Playbook” due to its zero-waste efforts in the third-floor suites where the Nittany Lion Club and the President’s and Government Relations’ boxes are located.

The playbook gives a general and in-depth overview of sustainability efforts in sports teams, leagues, venues, athletes, corporate partners, and more. It specifically looks at organic waste going to compost facilities instead of landfills.

The biggest ways Beaver Stadium accomplishes this include using entirely compostable food ware in the suites, waste audits after every home game, and the student ambassadors of EcoReps.

Zero-waste doesn’t necessarily mean that there is no waste produced. Instead, it refers to the amount of waste that is diverted to recycling or compost. If at least 90% of waste is diverted, it’s considered zero-waste.

Penn State professor of agricultural and biological engineering Judd Michael played a key role in these sustainability efforts. He has goals to expand the initiative to other athletic venues at Penn State and to use the initiative as a showcase and educational opportunity.

“It’s important that Penn State maintains its position as a leader and role model for other higher education institutions seeking to achieve sustainability goals ranging from landfill diversion to reduced carbon emissions,” Michael said. “Sports provides an excellent platform to demonstrate that leadership, and we are honored that the Green Sports Alliance has recognized our efforts.”

About the Author

Mackenna Yount

Mackenna is a junior food science major from Manitou Springs, Colorado, and is one of Onward State's associate editors. She loves food, is addicted to coffee, and can give you random facts or bad jokes that you didn't ask for. Ask her to bake gluten-free goodies so she has an excuse to try out new cupcake flavors. Mackenna can be contacted via Twitter @mackennayount (especially if you want to show off your best dad jokes) or you can shoot her an email at mackenna@onwardstate.com.

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