Penn State Tailgate Ambassadors Help Make Game Days Less Trashy

SEATTLE (Waste Advantage): Each Penn State home football game generates a lot of community building, fun — and waste. Though A-frames that hold clear bags for waste and blue bags for recycling empty bottles and cans are placed throughout tailgate lots, they do not reduce the amount that comes in or ensure recycling is done properly. On average, 77 tons of waste is generated at each game, including trash and recycling both inside and outside the stadium. Of the 70,760 pounds, or 35.38 tons, of blue bags collected from the tailgate lots after the first four home games, 58.4% was successfully recycled. Ayo Oluwalana, Penn State’s waste reduction and recycling program manager, aims to increase that rate. “Getting it to 75% at the end of the season is what I’m hoping for,” he said.

The good news is that all fans can contribute to this goal, and that a group of students called Tailgate Ambassadors, supported by Penn State Sustainability, the Office of Physical Plant, and Pepsi, are working to make a difference. This partnership is incentivizing fans to learn about game-day recycling — and offering prizes to those who do. Tailgate Ambassadors visit the football tailgating lots on game days. Over the first four home games, the students have engaged with over 1,000 tailgate groups. They welcome guests, pass out trash and recycling bags, and educate fans on how to use them.

For example, they emphasize the importance of placing empty bottles and cans in recycling containers. Because the University is charged for the weight of liquid that remains in disposal bags, emphasizing empty-only containers reduces costs and reduces the strain on the waste management crews.

“The Tailgate Ambassadors are a hardworking and high-energy group,” said Krista Bailey, Penn State Sustainability’s associate director for campus sustainability. “They arrive on game days before the lots open to get ready to greet fans and provide them with information about recycling and other help they might need. They’ve helped set up tents and have been great Penn State role models — friendly, informed and helpful.” The response from Penn State fans has been positive.

Courtesy: www.wasteadvantagemag.com