Zero Waste program returns to Richardson Stadium

The Charlotte 49ers football team is into its second season, which means for home games in Richardson Stadium, the focus is on zero waste.

Last year’s efforts resulted in new initiatives for 2014, according to Brad Green, director of catering and special services for Chartwells, the University’s contracted food vendor.

He noted that for this year, there is increased waste sort training for staff and volunteers, a souvenir popcorn tub is used so fans can take it home instead of throwing it away and cornstarch spoons replaced plastic spoons. Also, increased signage will help stadium visitors identify the appropriate containers (waste, compost or recycling).

Kaitlyn Chapman, a junior Levine Scholar from Raeford who is majoring in civil and environmental engineering, started volunteering in the zero waste movement on campus as a freshman. She volunteers during home games and encourages other students to join the effort. “We need to spread the word to attract interested volunteers and potential program supporters as well as allow other campuses to see and follow UNC Charlotte’s pioneering sustainability efforts.”

Volunteers receive free admission to the game, a zero waste T-shirt and a coupon for three dollars off a meal. Prior to the game, they check out stadium waste stations for signage, and they help with set up and tear down.

During the inaugural season, stadium attendees embraced the zero waste program with an overall diversion rate of 83 percent for the season, said Green. The first home game this year had an 84 percent diversion rate, which corresponds to 3.15 tons of recycled materials, .89 tons of trash and 1.5 tons of compost.

The University’s Zero Waste Program won the 2014 Outstanding Collaboration/Partnership Award from the National Association of College Auxiliary Services (Southern Region). Representatives from the University’s recycling unit in facilities management have conducted presentations at universities and colleges throughout the area.