simple + green

This is one of those rare occasions when two passions of mine intersect. In this case, baseball and environmentally friendly living.

Even better, it’s my favorite pro baseball team going green.

All part of their “Let’s Go Bucs, Let’s Go Green” program, which was developed in conjunction with the Natural Resources Defense Council. ‘Team Greening’ is the name of the joint venture between Major League Baseball and the NRDC, with the purpose of getting all major league organizations on board with going Green.

Today’s article, Pirates swing for fences environmentally, features a list of ways that the organization plans on doing its part to eliminate waste, recycle and become more Green.

The focus will be on activities within PNC Park, the Pirates ballpark. Specifically:

Recycling -

Fans will find 180 recycling containers, including 90 bottle-shaped receptacles, scattered throughout PNC Park to collect some 760,000 plastic bottles and aluminum cans used throughout the season.

Ushers will be waiting after games with bags into which fans can throw bottles and cans. And for added measure, the team will employ a “green team” to sweep the stands after games for any bottles and cans left behind.

Concessions -

…banishing plastic foam cups (33,000 were used last year) and plastic forks, knives and spoons from PNC Park and its offices. Concessionaires Aramark and Levy Restaurants will use eco-friendly corn-based beverage cups to serve customers. They also will eliminate most nonbiodegradable material in utensils, plates, napkins and carriers.

Facilities/fan services -

The Pirates also will be installing motion sensors in 86 locations in the park and using more energy-efficient bulbs as others are replaced or in new spaces.

Fans will even find a difference in the restrooms, where hand towels and toilet paper will be made from recycled materials.

Front office as well -

In the front office, the Pirates intend to slash the 2.3 million sheets of copying paper used last year by copying on both sides. Likewise, all office paper, stationery and business cards will be made of recyclable materials.

I could say “it’s about time”, and that would be true. But I’m ecstatic with the progress, and hope that more changes can come about, too.

Why not involve green architects and planners as new stadiums are being built? Why not create the vision of a completely carbon-neutral ballpark.

One thing I have to say about PNC: like many new downtown baseball fields, the location is very walk-up friendly. In fact, walking to the park across the Clemente Bridge is the best way t enjoy coming to the park.

They were going for a smaller carbon footprint and didn’t even know it!