By Danielle Bernabe, Fortune

In contrast to plastic, which has a limited recyclable rate before polluting our oceans and landfills, aluminum has an infinite life span. COURTESY OF BALL CORP.

The owner of a small bar in Colorado was eager to replace his glassware, which was frequently broken or stolen by patrons. He wanted something different: a durable cup not as costly as glass. A vessel that did not pose an environmental conundrum like the only other option at the time: plastic.

Luckily, he had friends at Ball Corp., the Fortune 500 manufacturer of metal cans and packaging, whom he phoned to help. And over a few years, the conversation spawned the Ball Aluminum Cup, the first-of-its-kind rival to disposable plastics of yore. One that is cool to the touch, sturdy, and can spin like a windmill during a ferocious game of flip cup.

When the team at Ball conceptualized this cup, the company was nearing its 140th anniversary. It became one of the many sustainability initiatives that Ball has integrated into its expansive capabilities. More than a year after its inception, the cup is commonplace at retailers and a driving force at green-minded sports and entertainment arenas.

Plastic versus aluminum

To understand the aluminum cup is to know the underlying differences between aluminum and plastic. For one, not all aluminum products are created equal. Extracting and refining raw bauxite ore (the main component in aluminum) takes two and sometimes five times as much energy to produce as new plastics. Using recycled aluminum, however, reduces that by 95%.

Aluminum, unlike plastics, is infinitely recyclable, giving it endless opportunities to engage in a circular system when and if recycling programs are in place. Because of this, The Aluminum Association estimates that almost 75% of all aluminum ever produced is in use today. In contrast, only 3% of plastic is still viable because of its degradation over time.

?If you compare plastic against aluminum and only look at the divergent composition, without taking into account the infinite recyclability of aluminum, the carbon footprint of plastic is better,? says Ball Corp. president Dan Fisher. If a circular system is sufficiently in place, using recycled aluminum reduces greenhouse gas emissions and the carbon footprint during production. However, when virgin material is used, it is crucial to lower energy through wind and solar power and other renewable sources to counteract the impact.

The Ball Aluminum Cup Courtesy of Ball Corp.

By the end of 2021, all of Ball?s U.S. operations will run on renewable energy and achieve 55% absolute reduction in its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2030. By eliminating the most significant issue in aluminum manufacturing, Ball?s aluminum cup has an advantage. ?The reality is we use 72% recycled content,? Fisher says. ?And under any measure, if you?re applying what?s actually happening today in the world and in the carbon footprint, aluminum is significantly better.?

Take me out to the Ball game

In 2019, Ball Corp. partnered with Kroenke Sports & Entertainment (KSE) venues?SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles; Emirates Stadium, home to Arsenal Football Club, in London; and newly branded Ball Arena in Denver?to swap plastics for aluminum cans, bottles, and cups, and vitalize recycling programs. They aim to create a better circular system at large-scale events, which will be fully realized at Ball Arena by 2022.

The environmental impact of sporting events is enormous. The fans, players, and teams travel from various locations to attend the game; the stadium burns fossil fuels to illuminate the field or court; the supply needs and waste of amenities, food, and packaging are extraordinary. An EPA study of stadiums? environmental impact estimated game attendees generate 39 million pounds of trash per year from concessions and food packaging.

?Venues are a microcosm of society and cities,? says Roger McClendon, executive director of the Green Sports Alliance (GSA)?a trade organization engaging teams, conferences, governmental agencies, fans, and more in environmental operations. In its 11 years, GSA has helped green more than 340 affiliates across collegiate, professional, and international leagues. ?When you think about the supply chain and all the things that go into it, you see the scale is massive.?

McClendon sees diverting waste from landfills as one of the biggest tasks for arenas. If 80,000 attendees are at a professional sports game, approximately 160,000 cups or bottles are used. Unless sporting events eliminate concessions altogether (and what fun is that?), it?s almost impossible to avoid it. Thus many venues are leaning into thoughtful procurement of packaged goods and better trash management. The aluminum cup has become an easy way to divert waste from landfills and engage the consumer.

?When you can?t reduce the actual physical container that a person is using, there are different ways to reduce the impact on the environment and sometimes even create a positive impact,? says GSA senior partnership manager Kristin Hanczor.

The Ball KSE Los Angeles Rams cup Courtesy of the Los Angeles Rams

A core challenge is human error and cross contamination of waste with the recyclables, but Hanczor thinks clear signage, convenience, and incentivizing are key factors in determining consumer participation. ?A lot of people are not actively trying to put things in the wrong place,? she says. ?Oftentimes, it is about convenience, maybe not paying attention, and then just not really knowing and maybe being concerned to ask.?

At each location, Ball and KSE are increasing sustainable opportunities beyond the cup by focusing on clear communication and recycling infrastructure in-venue and by urging surrounding local communities to make recycling aluminum second nature. Additionally, KSE and Ball partner with area schools in the Green Assists educational program to promote aluminum recycling. Whereas the many tiers of plastics create confusion and defeat, aluminum is recyclable no matter what stage of its life.

Currently, lottery systems are in place at KSE venues to motivate attendees to participate. Some may win the opportunity to meet players and go backstage at concerts, while others can snag tickets for future events just for collecting their trash and throwing a cup away in the correct bin. ?There are really engaging and entertaining ways we can do this. And our customers and we are exploring it,? says Fisher of Ball and KSE?s continuing efforts to grow the initiative.

Partnerships and products like the aluminum cup have opened doors for Ball to stimulate sustainability within the industry. ?The aluminum cup is giving us an opportunity to sit down with major retailers in a meaningful way to have these conversations. They?re happening today in a way that we couldn?t a few years ago,? says Fisher.

He noticed the shift around 2001 when David Attenborough?s Blue Planet docuseries illustrated the grave consequences plastics have on our oceans. Now, increasingly, retailers and consumers want a more environmentally friendly option on their shelves. New products in cans, such as water and other beverages, are on the rise. In 2019, 67% of new drinks launched in the United States were sold in aluminum cans.

Though neither aluminum nor plastics are especially beneficial to the environment, global societies have grown used to the convenience of disposable containers. The absolute solution doesn?t lie in continuing to succumb to these deeply ingrained behaviors. However, it is a big step to do better, to manufacture in a more sustainable way, and to drink and recycle more responsibly.

Read the original article here

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By International WELL Building Institute (IWBI)

(New York, June 17, 2021) ? A coalition of some of the world?s most prominent non-governmental organizations focused on sports and planetary health announced today that they have joined with the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) to launch a global awareness campaign to advance health and safety practices in venues of all sizes in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The collaboration will benefit from the combined reach and influence of Sport and Sustainability International (SandSI), Green Sports Alliance (GSA), Sports Environment Alliance (SEA), Golf Environment Organization and EcoAthletes, who collectively include sports organization members in more than 50 countries on multiple continents. SandSI, GSA and SEA will work in concert with IWBI to promote the importance of independent assessments of health and safety measures being taken at sports venues in thousands of communities.

Recognizing that human health is inextricably linked to both the health of the planet and the strength of socio-economic institutions that support everyday life, Dr. Allen Hershkowitz, Chairman of SandSI?s Board and Environmental Science Advisor to the New York Yankees, said, ?Good health and well-being are prioritized as one of the UN Sustainable Development Goals and, given the influence of sports, this can be a powerful way to highlight the impact of our buildings on our health. Addressing the pandemic from a global perspective is of the utmost importance. We need a coordinated global effort to give fans confidence that their favorite teams and venues are taking every precaution so they can feel confident returning to the stadiums and arenas.?

Accordingly, this effort is focused on encouraging all sports federations, leagues, venues and teams to enhance their venues? health and safety protocols and assuring that those protocols are assessed by a credible third party that focuses on health and facility operations.

?We?re excited to have already in place and in market the WELL Health-Safety Rating, which has proven to be a useful tool for the more than 30 sports and entertainment facilities in the U.S. applying it, many of which have already achieved the rating,? said IWBI President and CEO Rachel Hodgdon. ?We know that there are myriad league and organizational protocols that have been established and a patchwork of varying municipal, regional and national guidelines that have been laid out. But our customers needed something that could help them communicate clearly and succinctly that the health and well-being of their employees, guests and community stakeholders were the top priority and specific strategies were being implemented, built on the available science.?

Hodgdon noted that the WELL Health-Safety Rating was developed in response to acute health threats such as the COVID-19 pandemic and that it has far-reaching applicability for supporting the ongoing health and safety needs of people in a given space, during both normal operating periods and in times of emergencies.

By focusing on operational policies, maintenance protocols, emergency plans and stakeholder engagement, the rating empowers organizations to prioritize the health of their staff, visitors and stakeholders.

The WELL Health-Safety Rating has resonated since its launch. Spaces enrolled in the rating have crossed 1.7 billion square feet, spanning all industries and building types. Achieved in just 11 months, the milestone signals accelerated global adoption of strategies that use our buildings as frontline caregivers in the immediate battle against COVID-19 and helps companies move toward a long-term commitment to healthier places. As a result, adoption of all IWBI programs applying WELL Building Standard (WELL) strategies, including via pursuit of the rating or WELL Certification, now stands at nearly 2.6 billion square feet across 97 countries.

Sports organizations have been aggressively pursuing the rating. More than 30 sports and entertainment venues have enrolled in or achieved the rating since September 2020. Those that have achieved the rating include:

• Amalie Arena / Tampa Bay Lightning (NHL)
• AT&T Stadium / Dallas Cowboys (NFL)
• BB&T Center / Florida Panthers (NHL)
• Bridgestone Arena / Nashville Predators (NHL)
• Fenway Park / Boston Red Sox (MLB)
• Golden 1 Center / Sacramento Kings (NBA)
• PNC Park / Pittsburgh Pirates (MLB)
• Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse / Cleveland Cavaliers (NBA) and Cleveland Monsters (AHL)
• Rose Quarter Campus / Portland Trailblazers (NBA)
• Scotiabank Arena / Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL), Toronto Raptors (NBA) and Toronto Marlies (AHL)
• Spectrum Center ? Charlotte Hornets (NBA)
• AT&T Center and Toyota Field / San Antonio Spurs (NBA)
• State Farm Arena / Atlanta Hawks (NBA)
• Wells Fargo Center / Philadelphia 76ers (NBA) and Philadelphia Flyers (NHL)
• Yankee Stadium / New York Yankees (MLB) & NYCFC (MLS)

Philippe Duperrex, Secretary General of SandSI – Sport and Sustainability International: ?Reducing the spread of the pandemic requires a massive coordination of civil society. The world aches for trusted organizations to guide us toward healthier communities, and sports can play an important role to lead by example and help inspire others.??

Roger McClendon, Executive Director, Green Sports Alliance:
“The number one priority of sports teams, leagues, and venues is to get fans back in the stands safely. Helping ensure the health and wellness of employees, players, and fans within arenas and stadiums so they can confidently experience the thrill of live sports together continues to be a major focus for the Green Sports Alliance. IWBI and the WELL Health-Safety Rating are valuable resources to ensure that Green Sports Alliance members have the expert science, knowledge, tools and procedures to help provide a safer environment for everyone. I look forward to continuing to share the WELL Health-Safety program with our members as we continue our journey to safely get back in the stands to watch our favorite sports teams!?

Dr. Sheila Nguyen, Executive Director, Sports Environment Alliance:
?The health and well-being of our community has always been a focus for the sports industry. Enduring and learning from challenges such as COVID-19, emphasizes the fact that we must have the tools and means to be our most resilient, so we can protect the places where we play and the people who love to play sport. Initiatives such as the IWBI WELL Health-Safety Rating lead the way and help shape our understanding in this field. We are supportive of all the local and international efforts such as IWBI?s that provide health and safety options for our industry, so we can build back resilient.?

Lew Blaustein, Founder, EcoAthletes:
?EcoAthletes, which inspires and coaches athletes to lead climate action, understands that climate health and public health are inextricably intertwined. That?s why we believe that sports venues can and must address COVID-19 and climate change is a must. Those stadiums and arenas that achieve the WELL Health-Safety Rating are on the way to doing both.?

Hershkowitz noted that the collaboration of these esteemed NGOs is critical as the world continues to respond to the devastating impacts of the pandemic. ?Sporting organizations have an outsized opportunity to demonstrate best practices at scale, and to communicate those practices in ways that both educate and reassure their vast publics and we want to harness that voice,? said Hershkowitz. ?We?re looking forward to rolling out the elements of the campaign in the coming weeks.? These will include toolkits for the NGOs to use to help spread the word to the venues and organizations in their memberships, and visibility for those organizations who successfully achieve the third-party rating for their efforts.

About the International WELL Building Institute
The International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) is a public benefit corporation and the world?s leading organization focused on deploying people first places to advance a global culture of health. IWBI mobilizes its community through the administration of the WELL Building Standard (WELL) and the WELL Health-Safety Rating, management of the WELL AP credential, the pursuit of applicable research, the development of educational resources, and advocacy for policies that promote health and well-being everywhere. More information on WELL can be found here.

International WELL Building Institute pbc is a wholly owned subsidiary of Delos Living LLC. International WELL Building Institute, IWBI, the WELL Building Standard, WELL v2, WELL Certified, WELL AP, WELL Portfolio, WELL Portfolio Score, The WELL Conference, We Are WELL, the WELL Community Standard, WELL Health-Safety Rating, WELL Health-Safety Rated, WELL Health-Equity, WELL and others, and their related logos are trademarks or certification marks of International WELL Building Institute in the United States and other countries.

Media contacts:
Jonathan O?Connor, jonathan.oconnor@finnpartners.com ? Europe/Australia
Kate Raley McIlroy, kate.raley@finnpartners.com ? North America

See the original press release here

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By NatureWorks

The post NatureWorks welcomes PGA Tour Winner, Brendon Todd, as first golf ambassador appeared first on Green Sports Alliance.

By Tammi Bryan

AtmosAir Solutions bi-polar ionization installed at Tacoma Dome and Greater Tacoma Convention Center to improve indoor air quality

Tacoma Venues & Events announced today that the Tacoma Dome and the Greater Tacoma Convention Center have installed AtmosAir Solutions bi-polar ionization (BPI) technology to provide an improved indoor environment in both venues.

AtmosAir Solutions BPI devices, installed in both building HVAC systems, improves wellness by

suppressing airborne and surface micro-organisms and pathogens, including viruses, bacteria and mold, and reduces odors as well as unhealthy and irritating volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The technology makes both buildings more sustainable while reducing energy and operational costs.

?This is another step in our commitment to our guests and staff as we safely return to events,? said Kim Bedier, Director for Tacoma Venues & Events. ?Combined with our GBAC Star cleaning standards, and new protocols to reduce touchpoints throughout our guest journey, our crew has developed a safe way forward in welcoming guests back for enjoyable event experiences.?

?We’re are very pleased to partner with the City of Tacoma in providing improved indoor air quality in the Tacoma Dome & Convention Center,? said Steve Levine, president and CEO of AtmosAir Solutions.

?As more people are vaccinated and entertainment venues reopen, it’s important that people know safety and wellness initiatives have been considered as a layer of protection in these venues. By adding our indoor air purification technology, those who attend future events can feel confident that both venues have taken steps to provide piece of mind for improved indoor environments.?

AtmosAir?s BPI technology also plays a role in reducing the spread of coronavirus. Tests performed by Microchem Laboratory, one of the world?s preeminent laboratories for testing sanitizing products registered by the EPA and FDA, confirmed that the presence of coronavirus was reduced by 99.92 percent within 30 minutes of exposure to AtmosAir?s BPI technology in a contained space.

The Tacoma Dome and Greater Tacoma Convention Center join a long list of venues that have installed BPI technology including: The Staples Center in Los Angeles, TD Garden in Boston, Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Little Caesars Arena in Detroit and the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA. and US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis are some of the indoor sports facilities that also use BPI technology.

About the Tacoma Dome and Greater Tacoma Convention Center:

In addition to cleaner air, the Tacoma Venues & Events team is transforming the guest journey to reduce touchpoints at both venues including implementing a clear bag policy, cashless transactions, and mobile pay parking.

For more information about the venues? focus on guest safety, please visit the Greater Way Forward at the Greater Tacoma Convention Center and Returning to Live Events at the Tacoma Dome websites.

About AtmosAir Solutions:

AtmosAir Solutions of Fairfield, CT is an indoor air purification company that provides clean green indoor air technology for commercial buildings, health care, hospitals, assisted living, hotels, cruise lines, universities and sports facilities. AtmosAir?s clean air technology improves wellness, makes buildings more sustainable, reduces their operational costs and its proven air purification technology is a continuous disinfectant, removing airborne and surface contaminants from indoor spaces. With more than 7,500 installations worldwide, AtmosAir Solutions patented bi-polar ionization technology suppresses airborne and surface microbials and pathogens, including viruses, bacteria and mold, and reduces odors as well as unhealthy and irritating volatile organic compounds (VOCs). More information can be found at www.atmosair.com.

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By Atlanta Hawks

State Farm Arena Sets New Industry Standard for Leadership in Zero Waste with TRUE certification from Green Business Certification Inc.

ATLANTA ? Today, Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI), the world?s leading sustainability and health certification and credentialing body, announced that Game 4 of the Atlanta Hawks? first-round playoff series against the New York Knicks earned TRUE (Total Resource Use and Efficiency) certification. This delegation marks the first time a sporting event in the world has received TRUE for events. The game, which was sold out with 16,458 fans in attendance, took place on Sunday, May 30.

In order to become TRUE certified, an event must meet requirements from GBCI. These requirements include having a zero waste policy in place, having achieved an average of 90 percent or greater overall diversion from landfill, incineration (waste-to-energy) and the environment for solid, non-hazardous wastes. The event must reduce, reuse, recycle, compost and/or recover for productive use in nature or the economy, and meet all federal, state/provincial, and local solid waste and recycling laws and regulations. In addition, the project complies with all air, water and land discharge permits required for collection, handling or processing of materials and meets or exceeds through data documenting of waste diversion efforts and measurements.

?As we continue our journey in making State Farm Arena a zero-waste venue, we are grateful for our staff and fans who all worked together to earn this certification from GBCI,? said Sofi Armenakian, Director of Sustainability and Operations for the Hawks and State Farm Arena. ?We recognize how important it is for sports to create change and know this is just another way how a sports venue can contribute positively and act sustainably in their community.?

In this endeavor, the Hawks were assisted by various organizations such as the Center for Hard to Recycle Materials (CHaRM), which aids in creating various recycling solutions for the city of Atlanta. CompostNow who provides commercial composting solutions- CompostNow enables us to compost all of our compostable service ware, cutlery and packaging. In addition, the venue activated 15 volunteers, teachers from Jonesboro Middle School, who joined for the event as zero waste volunteers. In their roles, they aided guests at the venue in the process of properly sorting to reduce contamination. Additionally, Levy Restaurants, the official food and beverage partner of the Hawks and State Farm Arena, helped in the supply chain process. Pritchard Sports & Entertainment, the team?s official housekeeping partner, also assisted operationally with the collection and sorting of all materials.

?We all want the world to be a cleaner and healthier place for future generations, and we can?t accomplish this without bringing a critical focus to waste reduction and elimination efforts. TRUE seeks to instill a more circular economy and enable businesses and organizations to address these issues head on by defining, pursuing and achieving zero waste goals for their facilities,? said Mahesh Ramanujam, President and CEO, USGBC and GBCI. ?Reducing the negative impacts of waste on people and the environment will require organizations of all kinds to step up and demonstrate leadership by prioritizing policies, operations and actions that dramatically reduce waste and limit resource extraction and use upstream. The Hawks and State Farm Arena?s dedication to pursuing TRUE for Events certification is truly moving us closer to becoming a zero-waste community that?s healthier for us all.?

In February 2021, Hawks and State Farm Arena successfully diverted 97 percent of fan-generated waste during the 2021 NBA All-Star Game with the help of Rubicon, a software platform that provides waste, recycling and smart city solutions to businesses and governments worldwide.

In June 2019, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) announced State Farm Arena, has received the LEED Gold certification. At the time, USGBC and GBCI President and CEO Mahesh Ramanujam presented Hawks and State Farm Arena CEO Steve Koonin with the designation plaque during the Greenbuild Atlanta Cultivation event at the venue.

To learn more about State Farm Arena?s Sustainability efforts, visit StateFarmArena.com/Sustainability. To purchase tickets for an upcoming event at State Farm Arena, visit StateFarmArena.com.

Read the original announcement here

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By Ocean Conservancy

The Eagles are working with Ocean Conservancy and The Ocean Foundation on Seagrass and Mangrove restoration in Puerto Rico

WASHINGTON, D.C., JUNE 8 ? The Philadelphia Eagles have entered into a landmark partnership with Ocean Conservancy and The Ocean Foundation to offset all team travel from 2020 through seagrass and mangrove restoration efforts in Puerto Rico. As part of Team Ocean, this partnership merges the Eagles? robust Go Green program with Ocean Conservancy?s work in the world of sports, going back to their role as Ocean Partner for the Miami Super Bowl Host Committee for Super Bowl LIV.

?The Eagles are setting an example for professional teams in the U.S. leveraging their resources to protect the environment,? said George Leonard, Chief Scientist, Ocean Conservancy. ?We couldn?t be happier they are joining Team Ocean with this work. We believe this will be a benefit to the ocean, to the community in and around Jobos Bay, Puerto Rico, and a valuable addition to the Eagles? robust environmental portfolio. Eagles fans can be proud that their team is setting the example on this critical, global issue.?

The Ocean Foundation, a partner organization of Ocean Conservancy, will handle the planning and implementation of seagrass and mangrove restoration in The Jobos Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (JBNERR), a federally protected estuary located in the municipalities of Salinas and Guayama in Puerto Rico. The 1,140-hectare reserve is an intertidal tropical ecosystem dominated by seagrass meadows, coral reefs, and mangrove forests and provides sanctuary to endangered species including the brown pelican, peregrine falcon, hawksbill sea turtle, green sea turtle, several species of shark, and the West Indian manatee. Accompanying restoration projects are also taking place in Vieques.

The Eagles offset their carbon footprint in 2020, which included air and bus travel to eight road games, by a total of 385.46 tCO2e. The calculations were made by The Ocean Foundation using the travel details from the Eagles 2020 itinerary. The funding for this project is broken down the following way:

• 80% ? Labor and supply restoration efforts
• 10% ? Public education (workshops and trainings to build local scientific capacity)
• 10% ? Administration and infrastructure

EDITOR?S NOTE: To download digital assets (photos and video) of seagrass and mangrove restoration efforts for media coverage purposes, please click here. Credit can be attributed to Ocean Conservancy and The Ocean Foundation.

Ocean Conservancy created the Blue Playbook in 2019 as a guide for pro sports teams and leagues to take on ocean-facing actions. Investing in blue carbon restoration projects is recommended under the Carbon Pollution Pillar and is an area the Eagles have been proactively invested in.

?Our sustainability journey began with a few recycling bins in the office back in 2003 and has since grown into a multi-curriculum program that is now focused on aggressive action to protect our planet ? and this includes the ocean,? said Norman Vossschulte, Director of Fan Experience, Philadelphia Eagles. ?This next chapter with Ocean Conservancy is an exciting beginning as we face the climate crisis. We met with Ocean Conservancy in 2019 to discuss ocean-related efforts, and in the time since, have been inspired by their scientists and experts on the value of protecting our ocean. Whether you are on the Delaware River, down at the Jersey Shore, or on the other side of the planet, a healthy ocean is vital to all of us.?

?Working with Ocean Conservancy on their travel offsets over the past few years has reinforced the dedication and creativity they bring to this work and this latest dive into the world of sports and with the Eagles is more proof,? said Mark J. Spalding, President, The Ocean Foundation. ?We?ve been working in Jobos Bay for three years and feel like this project with the Eagles and Ocean Conservancy will bring tangible results to the ocean and also serve as inspiration for more teams to look at using their sustainability platforms for the ocean.?

Seagrass meadows, mangrove forests, and salt marshes are often the first line of defense for coastal communities. They occupy 0.1% of the seafloor, yet are responsible for 11% of the organic carbon buried in the ocean, and help mitigate the effects of ocean acidification as well as protect against storm surges and hurricanes by dissipating wave energy and can help reduce flooding and harm to coastal infrastructure. By capturing carbon dioxide and storing it in the biomass of seagrass, salt marshes, and mangrove species, the amount of excess carbon in the air is reduced, thereby lessening greenhouse gas contribution to climate change.

For every $1 invested in coastal restoration projects and restoration jobs, $15 in net economic benefit is created from reviving, expanding, or increasing the health of seagrass meadows, mangrove forests, and salt marshes.

The Eagles? Go Green program has been internationally recognized for its commitment to sustainability and eco-friendly measures. In recent years, the team has earned LEED Gold status by the U.S. Green Building Council, an ISO 20121 international certification, and a GBAC (Global Biorisk Advisory Council) STAR accreditation. As part of this progressive approach to serve as proud environmental stewards in Philadelphia and beyond, the team?s award-winning Go Green program has contributed to the Eagles running a zero-waste operation fueled by 100% clean energy.

About Ocean Conservancy

Ocean Conservancy is working to protect the ocean from today?s greatest global challenges. Together with our partners, we create science-based solutions for a healthy ocean and the wildlife and communities that depend on it. For more information, visit oceanconservancy.org, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

About The Ocean Foundation

The mission of The Ocean Foundation is to support, strengthen, and promote those organizations dedicated to reversing the trend of destruction of ocean environments around the world. The Ocean Foundation (TOF) focuses on three main objectives: to serve donors, generate new ideas, and nurture on-the-ground implementors through facilitation of programs, fiscal sponsorship, grantmaking, research, advised funds, and capacity building for marine conservation.

Read the original announcement here

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By Gary Polakovic

Student organizers speak at a climate strike on USC?s campus, part of a growing focus on sustainability issues at USC. (Photo/Jessica Doherty, Annenberg Media)

USC is planning a major expansion of its undergraduate curriculum focused on sustainability in the coming school year to help prepare future leaders to protect the planet.

A recent survey shows USC students are overwhelmingly interested in sustainability, including ways to slow climate change and promote social equity. Similarly, President Carol L. Folt has made environmental issues a top priority. A new sustainability plan that will guide university facilities, operations, research and education over the coming decade is due later this year.

In support, the Presidential Working Group on Sustainability, which was created by Folt, and the Office of the Provost launched the Sustainability Across the Curriculum program to teach certain basic concepts to USC undergrads. The long-term goal is to educate USC?s 20,000 undergraduate students in how sustainability intersects with their major field of study before they receive a diploma.

?Every discipline will be affected. Students in art, engineering, dance, law, you name it; they are going to encounter some aspect of sustainability. Every discipline can add perspective and solutions to sustainability, which is one of the greatest challenges facing humanity,? said Andrew McConnell Stott, vice provost for academic programs and dean of the USC Graduate School.

A faculty online symposium is scheduled for 11 a.m. June 9 to help professors learn from colleagues who are adding sustainability components to existing courses as well as to explain the Sustainability Across the Curriculum grant program.

USC?s expanded sustainability curriculum builds upon existing courses

Dan Mazmanian, chairman of the working group and a professor at the USC Price School of Public Policy, says USC?s vision for sustainability education will go beyond environmental topics, such as climate change, resource depletion, food production, waste generation and biodiversity loss. He said courses will show how those issues intersect with people and societies and include topics such as diversity, equity and inclusion.

?USC?s mission is to cultivate engaged human beings who are empowered to have a positive impact on society,? said Jill Sohm, professor of environmental studies at the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences. ?To this end, an understanding that sustainability presents one of society?s greatest challenges is essential. We depend on healthy ecosystems for our survival, but a sustainable world will not be attainable unless benefits extend to all.?

USC?s mission is to cultivate engaged human beings who are empowered to have a positive impact on society.

Jill Sohm

Of course, USC has long offered courses in environmental science and engineering. USC Dornsife offers nine sustainability-related majors and eight minors and has been teaching the subject through entities like the USC Wrigley Institute for Environmental Studies and the Department of Earth Sciences for decades. The USC Viterbi School of Engineering offers more than two dozen courses in renewable energy, climate adaptation and sustainable building design and construction, among other topics.

Last semester, a pilot project launched at USC Dornsife included six courses, involving about 300 students, augmented to teach sustainability: ?Black Social Movements? (AMST 252), ?East Asian Ethical Thought? (EALC 130), ?Advanced General Chemistry? (CHEM 115), ?Introduction to Psychology? (PSYC 100), ?Science, Technology and Social Conflict? (Sociology 210) and ?Race and Class in Los Angeles? (AMST 101). USC Dornsife proved fertile ground because its sustainability-themed majors, minors and courses made it easy for environmental science faculty to partner with other professors teaching the six courses.

Faculty symposium will provide insight into sustainability program grants

At the June 9 symposium, three new types of grants available to support the program will be discussed:

• Integrating sustainability into existing courses. This would focus on big classes as well as courses centered on diversity, equity and inclusion. Also, faculty with sustainability expertise could partner to create course materials. Instructors of any undergraduate class may apply. Grant amounts total up to $5,000.
• New course proposals. These would be new courses that focus on sustainability or social justice or utilize experiential learning, such as research, travel or public service. Instructors from any school are eligible. Grant amounts up to $10,000 are available to develop new course materials.
• New minors or certificates. This category would create new minors or certificates using existing and new courses with an emphasis on interdisciplinary studies. Practical, solution-focused sustainability proposals are preferred. Faculty and departments would have to launch the new programs within three years, and grant awards would vary.

Tempering expectations, Mazmanian cautioned it will take time before the Sustainability Across the Curriculum program is evident to most USC undergrads. He said achieving change for about 40% of classes ? comparable to peer universities with top sustainability education programs ? could occur by 2028.

?Scaling this up will be a heavy lift,? he said. ?We need new classes and additional faculty. This will involve coordination to achieve continuity in grading methods, assessing the competencies taught, managing the program and funding it.?

A 2020 survey shows that nearly two-thirds of USC students are very interested in sustainability. Students said they wanted to be more involved in such efforts and wanted to see the university lead on issues like clean energy, recycling and climate change. Folt often praises USC students for pressing the administration and faculty to do more to protect the planet. For example, in February USC announced it would cease fossil fuel investments and liquidate existing investments, a policy long advocated by student leaders.

Said Stott: ?USC prides itself in producing citizens who contribute proactively to the well-being of society. In the 21st century and beyond, we will need leadership that has a profound and nuanced understanding of what sustainability means and how it works in an interdisciplinary way.?

Read the original article here

The post USC plans dramatic expansion of sustainability curriculum appeared first on Green Sports Alliance.

By KB Stars

As part of leading the practice of ESG management in Sports, the Cheongju KB Stars (Owner: Heo In) announced that it became the first organization in Korea to join the Green Sports Alliance (GSA), in which approximately 600 global sports groups are promoting environmental actions.

Both parties are sharing the consensus on the role of sports for future generations. Based on future cooperation, they plan to prepare sustainable activities at the team operations level to enhance public awareness regarding environmental protection.

In celebration of being the first in Korea to join the GSA, the KB Stars are holding a ?Let?s Protect the Environment with the KB Stars!? event on World Environment Day (June 5). The event is intended to share and introduce to the public everyday ideas to help protect the environment. It will take place by having the participants take and upload photos of their stories, surroundings worthy of praise, etc. to social media and hashtagging the event name.

In addition, among those who participate in the event, there will be a drawing for 100 participants to be provided with specially designed pouches, tumblers, etc. The pouches are produced by upcycling the basketballs used during training and games by the KB Stars team from last season, and the items will include autographs of the team members, which will be limited-edition gifts in commemorating last season. The details of the event can be found on the official team website and social media channels.

The post The KB Stars Lead ESG Management Practice in Sports: First to Join the ?Green Sports Alliance?, Holding an ?Environmental Protection? Event appeared first on Green Sports Alliance.

By Sadhbh O’Shea, VeloNews

Canadian women’s continental team InstaFund Racing is getting rid of its single use plastics as it aims to tackle the team’s environmental impact.

Professional cycling has a garbage problem.

The UCI has tried to address part of the issue by restricting where riders can drop their garbage and excess clothing in an effort to prevent it from littering the landscape. It has caused some controversy with the way it has been dealt with and, while well-intentioned, doesn?t tackle the issue of cycling?s use it and chuck it mentality.

One team that is trying to take control of its garbage problem is the Canadian women?s continental team InstaFund Racing. The squad, now in its third season, has set itself the big goal of going almost entirely free of single-use plastic, from June 1. It also aims to work towards having a carbon-neutral footprint from 2022.

?We want to try and show other teams this can be done without affecting performance and increasing the quality the riders? environment,? team manager Adam Korbin told VeloNews. ?If you start to think about the single-use plastics you interact with as a cyclist, it should be minimal, to begin with, if you put a bit of thought into it.?

The idea to take a more ecologically friendly approach to race came from within the team. Reflecting on her own experience in sailing as she was preparing to leave the sport for cycling, InstaFund rider Isabella Bertold saw how it was looking to improve its environmental credentials. She started to assess what she could do and that approach has been carried into the ethos of the cycling team.

?There?s a very disposable attitude in cycling. A simple example is a water bottle gets used once and then it is thrown away when it is supposed to be reusable,? Korbin said.

?I don?t think the attitude is within the peloton but I think it is in the team structure. The practicalities of running a team don?t necessarily need to conflict with environmental goals. As in ?This is the way that things have been done and we?re going to keep doing them this way?, rather than trying to think of different ways of trying to approach problems.?

Overhauling the way an existing team operates to make it more environmentally friendly will be a big task and will take time to implement ? that?s if the team is willing to take it on. However, Korbin believes there are some quick victories to be had in the fight to limit waste and combat the use of plastic without any major effort.

?The simplest example is using beeswax wraps for your food on training rides instead of foil and zip lock bags. At some point, things will fly out of your pockets. It?s inevitable, it will happen,? he said. ?At least if it is a piece of beeswax wrap then it?s slightly better than foil and you?re also reusing that wrap, when you?re at home, multiple times. The team is also using reusable grocery shopping bags for all of the riders going forward.

?I still don?t understand why people buy 1.5 liter bottles of water in countries with potable water, and then take that bottled water and dump it into cyclists bike bottles. Safe tap water is totally fine, or have a little filter that you can put over the tap. Water quality in developing nations is another problem and that?s a problem in the world of water logistics. I?m hoping that by looking for ways to innovate in cycling that some to those ideas can translate into solving global problems.

The gel conundrum

While there are many simple changes that teams and riders can alter without having much of an impact on one?s daily life, one of the major sticking points ? quite literally ? is the packaging for gels. They are a necessity for elite cyclists and the team has looked at alternatives but has been unable to find a suitable replacement, for now.

The nature of gels ? with the complex materials used to make the wrappers and the sticky contents ? means it is very difficult to recycle through the normal channels. Not happy with just chucking them, the team has found a way of ensuring the packaging is dealt with properly but there are still plans to stop using the single-use wrappers altogether.

?One thing that we?re still struggling with is gel wrappers and how do you work around that because gels are ultimately race fuel. We have tried using a reusable squeeze tube but, so far, all the ones we have been able to find are too big to fit into jersey pockets,? Korbin said.

?We?re going to do our best to collect every single gel wrapper and send them off to the proper recycling. There is a programme through a company called TerraCycle where you can send your gel wrappers to them, and they will properly recycle them.?

The next few months will be a steep learning curve for the team as it tries to eradicate single-use plastics, but Korbin hopes that it will spark a change across the sport.

?Our goal is to show what is possible. We?re certainly not trying to preach, but I?m hoping other teams will look for their own ways to reduce their use of plastic. There?s not a lot of risk for us trying a lot of things. If something doesn?t work, then that?s ok. The best part about taking this on is the enthusiasm from our suppliers, they?re keen to learn and experiment along with us.

?Hopefully, larger teams will start to adopt things and hopefully we can learn from them, too, and see what works well for them and what doesn?t work.?

Read the original article here

The post Meet the team tackling cycling?s garbage problem and eliminating single-use plastics appeared first on Green Sports Alliance.

June 2, 2021, NEWPORT, R.I. ? 11th Hour Racing announced today its sponsorship of The Hall of Fame Open, the ATP Tour tournament hosted annually at the International Tennis Hall of Fame, which this year will be held July 11-18.

11th Hour Racing, a leading organization that harnesses the power of sport to promote collaborative, systemic change benefitting the health of our ocean, will serve as the tournament?s Official Sustainability Sponsor. Both the Hall of Fame Open and 11th Hour Racing are based in the coastal town of Newport, Rhode Island.

?This is an exciting, new sponsorship for 11th Hour Racing, with a lot of potential for meaningful impact. Until this point, our work has focused on sailing. However, we believe in harnessing the power of sport to create change and engage people on the critical concept that sustainable behavior on land is key to ocean restoration. There is no better place to draw this connection to the sea than in Newport, where the ocean surrounds us,? stated Rob MacMillan, co-founder and president of 11th Hour Racing.

As part of the new sponsorship, the Hall of Fame Open facilitated a review by a sustainability consultant to develop a clear plan for immediate and long-range tactics to improve the tournament?s overall environmental impact.

New initiatives being implemented at this summer?s Hall of Fame Open will include:

• Elimination of single-use bottles, straws, and plastic bags.
• An enhanced composting program for food and landscaping waste.
• A sustainability charter that all caterers and on-site vendors will be required to abide by.
• Use of recycled paper in all printed materials.
• Use of custodial paper products made from recycled materials.
• Use of cleaning products and hand soaps certified by Green Seal, Safer Choice, or Eco Logo.
• Implementation of an improved and comprehensive recycling program.
• Tracking key indicators to be utilized in sustainability initiatives in future years, such as water, electricity, and fuel usage.

In addition, a key focus of the partnership will be to communicate with tournament fans, players, and volunteers proactively about behavior changes individuals can implement at the event and at home to make a long-term positive impact on ocean health.

?As a large-scale event in a coastal community, it is the International Tennis Hall of Fame?s responsibility to our community to operate in a manner that will help sustain our ocean and environment. We are grateful for 11th Hour Racing?s sponsorship and expert guidance as to how we can improve the event?s behaviors and impact in both the short and long term,? said Todd Martin, CEO of the International Tennis Hall of Fame.

The Hall of Fame Open will be held July 11 ? 18 at the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island. It is the only professional tennis tournament played on grass courts in North America. Tickets for the event are on sale now on www.HallofFameOpen.com.

About 11th Hour Racing
11th Hour Racing works to mobilize sailing, maritime and coastal communities with an innovative approach to inspire solutions for the ocean. Driven by a philosophy of ?local solutions to global problems,? the organization connects international sailing teams with global events and utilizes these platforms to spotlight a broad portfolio of community grant projects. Learn more at www.11thhourracing.org.

About the Hall of Fame Open

Hosted on the historic grass courts of the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island, the Hall of Fame Open is the only ATP Tour event played in the Northeast and the only pro tournament played on grass courts in North and South America. The 2021 tournament will be held July 11 -18, 2021. Topping off a week of exciting pro tennis, a highlight of the week will be the International Tennis Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony on July 17. The tournament is operated by the International Tennis Hall of Fame and proceeds directly support the organization?s efforts to preserve and promote tennis history, celebrate its greatest champions, and inspire the future of the sport. For additional information, visit www.halloffameopen.com.

The post 11th Hour Racing Expands to Tennis as Official Sustainability Sponsor of Hall of Fame Open appeared first on Green Sports Alliance.

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