MLB Adopts League-wide Environmental Data Collection

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mlbMajor League Baseball has adopted a program that will see all 30 clubs begin collecting and analyzing stadium operations data.

There also is a marketing component to the program, which is being conducted in concert with the Natural Resources Defense Council.

The clubs will host events at their ballparks this summer to educate fans about environmentally responsible behavior, as well as events in their host cities that emphasize similar messages.

Here is a look at selected programs.

Boston Red Sox

In addition to the club's new recycling program with Coca-Cola, Anheuser-Busch and Waste Management, the club has installed water-efficient fixtures on the mezzanine level of Fenway Park. In 2008, Fenway Park installed 28 solar panels.

Cincinnati Reds

The Reds are offsetting emissions on Earth Day through purchase of Renewable Energy Credits (RECs), as well as having more than 1,000 members of its staff wear polo shirts made of recycled PET plastic bottles all summer long.

Kansas City Royals

The Royals Green Team, a project with Allied Waste, will stroll the aisles during the "Green Stretch" to collect recyclables from fans. The stadium also has 150 recycling bins in and around the stadium.

Philadelphia Phillies

The Phillies are purchasing RECs to offset 100 percent of utility use at the park for the third consecutive year since starting in 2008. The deal will see the Phillies purchase 20 million kilowatt hours worth of RECs.

Seattle Mariners

The Mariners will celebrate Earth Day at a home game April 21 (Earth Day is officially April 22). The game will see the Mariners partner with Cedar Grove Compost for the Second Annual Zero Waste Game, in which all foodservice items and waste are recycled.

Allen Hershkowitz, a senior scientist with NRDC, calls the program "arguably the most important environmental initiative in the history of professional sports, worldwide."

In its first year, the data collection program will focus on:

- Energy use, including total energy used, sources of energy, and use of renewable energy;

- Waste generation, including total waste generated, materials diverted for recycling and composting, and cost of disposal;

- Water use, including amount of water used, water conserved, and cost of water use, and;

- Paper procurement, including the amount of recycled paper used in club offices, in stadium restrooms and for yearbooks, game-day programs and media guides.

Environment + Energy Leader