Sport Stadiums Utilizing Sustainability

“Out of 126 professional teams in the five major sports, 38 use renewable energy.”  68 teams have green programs.  18 facilities have invested in solar panels.  Lincoln Financial Field (home of the Philadelphia Eagles), in Philadelphia utilizes:

•  11,000 solar panels
•  14 wind turbines
•  Recycled paper products for tissues & recyclable packaging for food
•  Conversion of cooking oil into biodiesel fuel
•  99% diversion from the landfill, soon to be 100%
•  They use a “Go Green Playbook” that promotes recycling, conserving, and buying eco-friendly items.  It promotes recycling tires and being cautious about how long the cycles are run in the dishwashers and washing machines.

CenturyLink Field in Seattle has 3,750 solar panels powering the facility. The Minnesota Twins use rainwater to clean down the seats.  NASCAR is using “NASCAR Green” which includes tire recycling and it plans on planting 8,000 trees this year.  The Pocono Raceway in Pennsylvania has 40,000 solar panels.  In California, the Sonoma Raceway has 3,000 sheep that keep the grass trimmed.

People could look upon these sports facilities as role models and follow their lead.  These ideas should be implemented in facilities everywhere!

For more information, visit this site below:  

Go Green! Sports Stadiums Save Energy

Air Emission Sites and Trenton School Obesity Data Mashup

It is hard to believe that there are areas that do not have clean air circulating around them.  Furthermore, these areas do not comply with the National Clean Air Act (CAA).  This includes areas right around where we live in the Trenton area.  The mashup below is well organized by different fields and colomns that provide information about each address. These addresses are then located on a map to make the viewer see pricely where the violations are taking place and which air pollutants are surrounding this area..

Below is a link that takes you to a fusion table constructed from air emission sites and interrelating to Trenton school's obesity that my group and I put together.

Data Mashup

Sustainability in Sports Facilities Video

Below is a video that was put together pertaining to Sustainability in Sports Facilities.  The manager from Princeton Racquet Club spoke about how they are implementing solar energy at their facility.  The second interview was with the supervisor of the TCNJ Recreation Center.  The supervisor talked about the camps that they run in the summer and how they keep tennis green.

Building Sustainability Goes on Facebook!

Below is a link to the new Facebook page that runs parallel with this blog.

Building Sustainability on Facebook

Fascinating Ways To Go Green

There is a wide range of opportunities that one can go green without having to go out of their way.  In the following examples, efficiency plays a key role.

• Heat: Watch the thermostat so that it does not stay on while you are away.
• Computer & Taxes: Turn your computer off at night and do your taxes online.
• Cars: Try to be eco friendly by having a hybrid car and carpooling whenever possible.
• Newspaper and Bills: Try to read your news online instead of ordering a newspaper.  Play your bills online and switch to paperless billing.
• Batteries: Use rechargeable batteries and recycle old batteries correctly.
• Dryer Lint: Give the dryer lint to the birds.  They will use it for their nests.
• Coffee Mug: Bring your coffee mug to the shop.  You might even get a discount!
• Pool: Cover your pool when not using it.  This will stop evaporation and avoid fill-ups.
• Movies: Buy e-tickets so that you save time and avoid the use of unnecessary paper.
• Detergent: Use an all-natural dishwasher detergent.
• Stairs: Take the stairs instead of the elevator.
• Diapers: Use cloth diapers.
• Appliances: Use Energy Star-qualified appliances. 
• Heat: Wear an extra sweater or blanket instead of turning the heat up.
• Lights: Use compact fluorescent, LED or halogen bulbs.
  
  
  

The website below lists a few other ways that you could be environmentally friendly.

Ways To Go Green

Sustainability in Facilities

The 2012 Olympics that were held in London focused on environmental sustainability.  We all know that the Olympics is an event that occurs every four years so it is known that it will be packed and full of life.  With so many people and events happening, it is vital that sustainability be addressed to the full extent.  The London Organizing Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) and the Olympics Delivery Authority (ODA) are two companies who made their mission to encourage and implement sustainability.

Beth Goodbaum wrote an article entitled, “3 Ways the Olympics Have Gone Green”, where she stated, “The Olympic Stadium is the most lightweight stadium that has ever operated. The roofing truss was constructed from unwanted gas pipelines from a North Sea oil project and an estimated 40 percent of the structure’s concrete was made of recycled material.”  This shows that it is possible to build an economy friendly facility.  Entrepreneurs and owners should follow this example and try to make their facilities the same way.

Furthermore, Goodbaum said, “with so much anticipated waste during the games, LOCOG has implemented a rule that every scrap of food and beverage packaging at the Olympics must be compostable or recyclable.”  How many times do people go to sporting events and throw away the rest of their meal that they cannot finish?  It happens more often than we think.  This is therefore a remarkable idea because companies such as Coca-Cola can implement their “PlantBottle”.  30% of this “PlantBottle” is made out of plants.  In addition, McDonald’s also added to the mix their bioplastic packaging, which reduced the number of unsustainable products that were used.  Recycling was also highly stressed.  Moreover, the Olympics used electric vehicles that cut down on the emission and pollution. 

These ideas are worth taking into consideration when opening up a stadium or facility because they would cut down on pollution and keep sustainability flourishing.  If the work and effort is put in, everything is possible!

Below is a link to obtain more information: 

Olympics Have Gone Green

 

Sustainable Marathon

This marathon below is one of the most sustainable marathons in the United States.  It has a huge recycling program and single stream recycling.  The food that is served here is organic and their merchandise is made out of bamboo.  It has a massive 40-person water bubbler, which decreases the amount of water bottles drastically.  Furthermore, they collect used athletic shoes that will be used to make athletic tracks and playgrounds all over the US.  Additionally, the ING Hartford Marathon promotes greening activities. 

I believe this is a great program that makes sustainability its number 1 priority.  All the ideas that it implements help make the environment greener.  Marathons like these should be implemented in cities and schools.  These events will help people understand that it is possible to be eco-friendly in athletic events.