One of the best kept secrets about the Super Bowl is that, for the past 18 years, the NFL Environmental Program has been working tirelessly to make a difference in sustainability and carbon offsetting. The good news? EVERYBODY wins! Each year the program gets stronger and more successful, so who knows the great things that can happen next year? The NFLEP works with the community to keep the offsets and benefits local. This year their efforts included:
- 1st & Green issued a challenge to track carbon offsetting. So far, the Super Bowl activities have offset 1,402,421 pounds of carbon! This includes everything for the month leading up to, during and after the event. Once the game is over, the real work begins with the clean-up efforts.
- 15,000 megawatt-hours of renewable energy certificates will be supplied by Green Mountain Energy Company to offset Super Bowl greenhouse gas emissions.
- 1st & Green is also tracking water usage, and over 2.5 millions gallons of water have been saved!
- Donations will be made to the Urban Forestry Project and trees will be planted.
- All the office supplies will be donated to local schools.
- Pepsico donated and placed recycling bins through the venue on game day.
- With the help of food recovery group Second Helpings, Tens of thousands of pounds of food will be collected and distributed to those in need.
- Jackets, winter wear, shirts, etc. that weren’t used or were gently used will be donated to local Indianapolis charities.
- Steel construction stuff, etc. will be saved to use in the future.
- What about all those signs, shelters, etc made of mesh and fabric that were all around town? Estimates were that several MILES of fabrics were used. They are being collected and will be repurposed into bags, wallets, and other inventive creations.
- And, much, much more…
Take a fun look at the Green Mountain infographic:
