University of Tennessee Athletics
UT, Eastman Look To Extend Recycling Program at Vol Football Games
Nov. 11, 2003
KNOXVILLE .-- Anyone who has ever attended a University of Tennessee football game knows that tradition, sportsmanship and volunteer spirit are key ingredients at every game. From tailgating parties to a stadium filled with 107,000 screaming fans, there is nothing like the experience. And, like any good party, there is nothing like the experience of cleaning up afterward--not something many fans think about.
However, this Saturday, America Recycles Day, the University of Tennessee will launch a program intended to get fans thinking about their garbage. The pilot program will extend the UT Recycles, UT Cares program to tailgating locations across campus.
"At each game, fans create roughly 400 cubic yards of trash inside the stadium and 200 cubic yards of trash outside of the stadium," said Sarah Surak, recycling coordinator for the facilities services department at UT. "On average, 30 to 35 percent of the waste outside of the stadium is aluminum and plastic, which is recyclable, and over time, that is a significant amount of material. We want to get fans thinking about this waste and hopefully get them to do something about it by recycling materials instead of just throwing them away, or worse, littering."
Since 1993 the University of Tennessee's athletic department's recycling program, Good Sports Always Recycle, has encouraged fans inside the stadium to recycle their plastic cups. The program, sponsored by Eastman Chemical Company, Knoxville Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Kroger and Waste Connections, is the largest stadium-recycling program in the nation and has recycled more than 60 tons of plastic cups and bottles in the 10 years it has been at the University of Tennessee.
"The Good Sports program has encouraged fans and students across the state to recycle, and now we want to extend this idea outside the stadium," said Mike Hamilton, athletic director for the University of Tennessee. "We have great pride in our school and its many traditions, including doing what's right. We've already succeeded in doing what's right for the environment inside the stadium with our recycling program, now it's time to extend that to the rest of campus and all of our tailgate celebrations."
Before the game, student volunteers will provide tailgaters with orange trash bags to place their aluminum and plastic in. When fans leave campus, the bags can be placed at any trash pickup location, where they will be collected, weighed and recycled. Anyone who signs up to participate in America Recycles Day will be entered in a national drawing to win prizes including a Ford Focus, weekend get-away for two, mountain bikes and a local drawing to win various other prizes from Eastman, Coca-Cola and the UT Athletic Department.
"The Good Sports Always Recycle program was established to encourage people to recycle, and to educate everyone about recycling and encourage participation in recycling programs," said Paul Montgomery, director of corporate relations at Eastman Chemical Company. "With this pilot program, the University of Tennessee is doing all of that, and we hope the fans will respond with overwhelming support."
In addition to launching the UT Recycles, UT Cares Tailgate program, the Nov. 15 game will include a special program rewarding students from across the state for their recycling efforts. The Good Sports Always Recycle program will bring student representatives from the state's top 10 school-based recycling programs to the game where they will receive on-field recognition for their programs along with a $500 check to support their recycling program.
Good Sports Always Recycle and UT Recycles, UT Cares program is joining efforts to help make everyday America Recycles Day. America Recycles Day is a campaign run by a non-profit organization, with the goal of educating and encouraging Americans to recycle and buy recycled products. Last year residents in every state participated in America Recycles Day and pledged to recycle.
"Getting the university involved with recycling is a big step in the right direction. Recognizing America Recycles Day and making it a tradition at UT athletic events will hopefully further the success of recycling on campus; it will continue to teach the important lesson of recycling not only on America Recycles Day but throughout the year," said Benson Henry, general manager with Waste Connections.
This year's winning schools for the Good Sports Always Recycle Program are: Altruria Elementary School in Memphis, Brentwood Middle School in Brentwood, Copper Ridge Elementary School in Knoxville, Cumberland County High School in Crossville, David Lipscomb Elementary School in Nashville, Gray Elementary School in Gray, Martin Middle School in Martin, Maryville Intermediate School in Maryville, Mt. Olive Elementary School in Knoxville and South Cumberland Elementary School in Crossville.
Eastman Chemical Company initiated Good Sports Always Recycle in 1993 in efforts to raise awareness about recycling across Tennessee. It is a statewide education program that recognizes students and schools for their recycling efforts. Its recycling program in Neyland Stadium is the largest stadium-recycling program in the nation.
