Good sources tell me that I’m not alone in my thinking. I’ve recently polled friends and neighbors, over impromptu driveway beers and weekly Mahjongg games (very reliable sources indeed), to bring you some of the top reasons people love fall: cool weather, warm comfort food, changing leaves, and of course, Ohio State Football.
Among other seasonal shifts, is a noticeable change in our social gatherings as well. We ditch the casual get-togethers on porches and patios to crowd around TV’s and tailgates, instead gulping and grabbing at snacks. It ain’t classy, but it sure is fun!
It’s the season of the red cup, the can cozy, the cooler on wheels. We become portable parties on game day, making it great big fun, but also creating a great big mess in the process.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates 17 million people attend professional games and 48 million attend college games per year. That’s a combined total of 65 million fans who create about 19,500 TONS of trash per year.
But change is in the air and it smells like green spirit! There are some wonderful programs making it easier to be green on game day, but it’s up to us to participate.
“Zero waste” stadium
Each passing season, stadiums and fans are getting greener. In fact, our very own Ohio State University is attempting to turn the Horseshoe into the nation’s largest “zero waste” stadium. The program started this year at the opening game against Akron. The rules: plastic and anything that looks like it (bottles, plates, and cutlery) should be placed in scarlet recycling bins. Paper products (cups, boxes and napkins) and food belong in gray compost bins.
Scarlet, Gray and Green Home Game Recycling Program
At each home game, tailgaters receive white plastic recycling bags to encourage collection of bottles, cans, paper and cardboard. Fans then can deposit the bags into scarlet recycling dumpsters located in tailgate lots on campus.
Pedal Instead
The "Pedal Instead" program provides bicycle valet service during the Ohio State home football games.
Taking our cue from Mother Nature, who does a beautiful job bringing changes each fall: let’s make some changes of our own. Participate in recycling and composting, encourage change at home, and lead by example. Perhaps if we assigned the same dedication to recycling our cans and bottles as we do cramming them into coolers, we can make a difference and let the good times roll!
