Blog Post

Waste Interception from Landfills at the Super Bowl

February 9, 2017

An article published by Waste Dive highlights the efforts by the NFL to minimize waste produced at Super Bowl LI in Houston.

The NFL’s environmental team begins planning how to handle waste at each Super Bowl more than a year in advance. Because the Super Bowl is held in a different city each season, each year presents new challenges in terms of reducing the amount of waste going to landfills. For example, Houston does not have the infrastructure in place to divert wasted food so the planning team was unable to separate food scraps this year.

However, the planning team’s efforts at the Super Bowl go beyond the stadium itself. In addition to diverting as much waste as possible during the game, they worked with local organizations to identify opportunities to reuse materials like temporary structures and carpeting. They also partnered with the Houston Zoo to set up an e-waste recycling event that collected roughly ten tons of electronics in just four hours.

Stadiums and venues have unique needs and challenges in terms of implementing an effective waste diversion program. RecyclingWorks has assisted various venues to establish successful recycling programs. For example, we helped the Blue Man Group of Boston establish new recycling and composting programs at their performances which has led to 42 tons of waste being diverted annually.

RecyclingWorks has also created a checklist for organizers of special events to maximize recycling and composting.

RecyclingWorks in Massachusetts assists businesses and institutions with recycling and food waste reduction through food donation and composting. To speak to a recycling expert, call our hotline: (888) 254-5525 or email us at info@recyclingworksma.com.