Clemson University's 'Green Game' combines touchdowns with recycling aluminium, showing how orange passion can turn green for sustainability.
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Clemson University, known for its passionate fan base that proudly bleeds orange, is adding a shade of green to its homecoming celebration. Clemson is focusing on sustainability at the homecoming game against Wake Forest to secure its fifth annual GameDay Football Zero Waste Touchdown Challenge victory. This eco-conscious endeavour is part of the Campus Race to Zero Waste program, an initiative to inspire nationwide campuses to minimise waste generated during home football games. Clemson has already triumphed in this challenge four times in 2014, 2017, 2018, and 2021.
Challenges and goals: The Campus Race to Zero Waste program evaluates participating campuses based on various sustainability metrics, including recycling per capita, waste minimisation per capita, food organics per capita, and outdoor clean-up events. Clemson's consistent success in these areas highlights its commitment to environmental responsibility.
Jennifer Goree, Chair of the school's Sustainability Commission, remarked, "The recycling efforts of our staff and students for the Green Game/Campus Race to Zero Waste is an outstanding example of how Clemson University is a national leader in sustainability"
What sets Clemson apart is its comprehensive approach to waste reduction. The university boasts recycling and composting facilities on its campus, making it a pioneer in sustainable practices among educational institutions. Clemson's students are not only dedicated to their studies but also to volunteering their time for this important cause, serving as an inspiration for everyone to play their part in the sustainability movement.
Fan engagement: Clemson fans are encouraged to contribute to the zero waste effort during the homecoming game. Recycling receptacles have been strategically placed around Memorial Stadium to make recycling easy and convenient for attendees. Tailgaters are also being provided with simple tips to reduce waste, such as avoiding single-use items and using translucent bags for recyclables, making it easier for sorters to collect and recycle them later.
An innovative partnership: Clemson is not just relying on fan participation; it has enlisted innovative solutions to maximise its sustainability efforts. After the game, the university will receive assistance from "The Roadie," a mobile mini-material recovery facility sponsored by Coca-Cola Consolidated.
Developed by Revolution Systems, "The Roadie" can process waste onsite, ensuring that plastic and aluminium packaging are captured and repurposed into new bottles and cans. It is a mobile sorting system designed to be easily transported to locations or events generating recyclable materials, such as sporting events, concerts, venues, and rural community recycling facilities. Bringing sorting directly to the source reduces pre-sort transportation costs, improves operational sorting efficiency, and enhances the quality of recycled materials. This innovative solution was born from extensive research and collaboration with various stakeholders to address recycling challenges in small rural communities and special event venues.
Clemson University's commitment to sustainability shines brightly during its annual "Green Game" and Campus Race to Zero Waste program participation. By engaging fans, fostering volunteerism, and employing innovative recycling solutions like "The Roadie," Clemson shows its dedication to environmental responsibility while aiming for victory on and off the field. As other institutions look to Clemson as a model of sustainable practices, it serves as a reminder that even amid spirited competition, the planet's well-being should always be a winning cause.
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