A football stadium may have green grass but does it have green habits? Each week, Great Lakes Echo highlights a Big Ten football stadium’s attempts to do the most to impact the environment the least.
All schools have information on the stadium’s diversion rate – the amount of waste recycled instead of put in a landfill.
Photo: Indiana University.
Stadium: Memorial Stadium, or “The Rock”
School: Indiana University
Built: 1960
Capacity: 52,929
2012 diversion rate: 54 percent
Scouting report: During the 2012 football season, Indiana University achieved their goal of increasing their 37 percent diversion rate to 54 percent. Volunteers also handed out recycle bags in tailgate areas to keep the waste down.
Memorial Stadium’s concessions contain many recyclable materials such as nacho containers, cardboard beverage holders, popcorn boxes, cans, cups and water bottles, said Emilie Rex, assistant director of sustainability at Indiana University.
Increased awareness of sustainability is a main objective for the school. During football games, large white and red trash and recycling containers can be found throughout the stadium, she said.