With football season now in full swing, there’s tons of energy around game days, but that means a lot of waste from concession stands and tailgates that ends up in landfills. Here’s what you can do to make athletic events at your school a little bit greener.

Start a tailgating recycling initiative

When the Net Impact Chapter at Oklahoma State University noticed how many plastic cups and aluminum cans ended up in trash cans from pre-football game tailgates, they decided to do something about it. Follow their example and hand out recycling bags around your stadium and in areas where people usually tailgate. Make sure to designate a collection area where tailgaters can deposit their bags on the way to the game.

Introduce recycling within your stadium

On a larger scale, the action inside stadiums produces plenty of waste as well. Consider implementing a recycling program in your local stadium if there isn’t one already in place.

Last fall, the Texas State University Net Impact chapter teamed up with supply distributor xpedx to position recycling containers around the inside of Bobcat Football Stadium. Without calling attention to these new bins, they waited to see how sports fans would react. By the end of the season, only 2% of non-recyclables ended up in the containers! Their program was so successful, TSU has continued recycling at the stadium this season.

Raise awareness and recruit people for your cause

Take advantage of the crowds to spread a powerful message. Try hosting an event on game day to raise awareness of where all the waste goes. Check out Net Impact’s Event in a Box: Mt. Trashmore for inspiration.

Join forces

Host a sustainable tailgate event of your own. Invite your Net Impact chapter members to mingle, discuss your chapter’s goals, and network. Better yet, invite another Net Impact chapter to join you!