Super Bowl XL Environmental Program

On 5 February 2006, the Pittsburgh Steelers beat Seattle Seahawks 21-10 to claim their first Super Bowl crown for 26 years. While most eyes were fixed on the playing field, a number of plays were unfolding behind the scenes to ensure a cleaner and greener Super Bowl, and to lessen the impact on the local and global environment.

The NFL's environmental projects are run in partnership with the Detroit Super Bowl XL Host Committee as well as a number of other local organizations, and included the following measures:

1. Comprehensive solid waste management projects at all major NFL event facilities. This project diverts waste from local landfills through recycling and reuse of potential waste materials.
2. Collection and donation of extra ‘prepared food’ from Super Bowl events through local food bank or food rescue organizations. The NFL works with local organizations to maximize the recovery and distribution of ‘prepared food’ from the many Super Bowl events where food is served.
3. Donation of leftover decorative materials, building materials, office supplies and other reusable items to local charities. Thousands of items are available following Super Bowl. Some are appropriate for reuse while others may be used by local nonprofits as fundraising auction items.
4. A Sports Equipment and Book Donation project in partnership with the Detroit Lions, the Boys and Girls Clubs and more than two dozen local schools. Students bring usable items to their schools during the third week of January. All these items are collected and, through the regional Boys and Girls Clubs, made available to needy children throughout the area.
5. Development of environmental guidelines for use by Super Bowl vendors and contractors. These guidelines are not presented as regulations but rather suggestions for incorporating green principles into areas such as transportation, meeting planning, food and beverage service, and office management.
6. The "Carbon Neutral" initiative seeks to plant hundreds of seedling trees to offset the greenhouse gas emissions produced by Super Bowl events. This project, begun at Super Bowl XXXIX in Jacksonville, is the NFL's way to respond to the long-term problems associated with greenhouse gas production. In partnership with Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Princeton University, we have determined the amount of carbon dioxide produced by Super Bowl related activities and the number and type of tree seedlings needed to absorb an equal amount of carbon dioxide.

For more information about the NFL's Environmental Program, contact program director Jack Groh at (401) 732-1551.

SOURCE: Super Bowl XL http://www.superbowl.com/

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Super Bowl XL