Texas A&M University
IN-4: Green Athletics

The Athletics Department has created a green athletics program called the "12th Man Green Team." The team consists of four members, listed below, who meet on a regular basis to investigate and then implement sustainable initiatives into athletics operations. Scot Obergefell - Director of Facilities - Athletics Department Rebekah Rabun - Director of Administration - Athletics Department Tanna Burge - Assistant Athletics Director - Sport Performance Howard Gray - Assistant Athletics Director - Sport Science Below is a summary of the 12 Man Green Team's initiatives currently in place. 70% of waste is diverted at football games played at Kyle Field. Other sports utilize the same process and have similar diversion rates for games. As part of our normal operation and service agreement with Brazos Valley Recycling, they sort through the trash collected, both after home athletic events as well as day to day, removing every item with the ability to be recycled or reused. While we do not certify our stadiums under a green building rating system, we utilize green building practices in the design and maintenance of building when feasible. Green building features include: low flow toilets, shower heads, and sinks, recirculating pumps on all hot water heaters, and separation of all disposal materials during construction. TAMU contracts with Levy for in-game concessions. Levy is currently participating in several sustainable purchasing initiatives:  Souvenir cups are recyclable and are sold with the intent customers will retain them and reuse at their homes. The cup was designed to fit on the top rack of a standard residential dishwasher. This was implemented to prevent the cup from melting and the end user discarding in the “trash” can.  Food packaging from concessions to end user are made from recyclable materials.  Levy currently composts all food waste from both athletic competitions and special events (Yellow bins)  Levy separates and recycles all cardboard and glass from athletic competitions and special events.  Non-souvenir soda cups (purchased from Pepsi) are made from recyclable materials. TAMU Athletics partners with Transportation Services to provide sustainable travel options for athletic events. For example, the following initiatives are available for football gameday:  All TAMU bus routes are operating at $0 cost to anyone coming to campus.  Park and Ride program (Momentum Bank and Downtown Bryan) ~7-10k participants per game  VeoRide bikeshare program  Corporate partnership with Lyft and Uber  Athletics promotes these options to All ticket holders, donors and students TAMU Athletics promotes sustainable transportation plans for those attending athletic events and communicates at games the diversion rate achieved at past athletic events and opportunities to get involved with clean-up after games to collect recyclable materials.