As Kansas City celebrates our World Series Champion Royals, Greenability is excited to share a few lesser-known stats that show the home team’s greener side. At Kauffman Stadium, the Royals collaborate with many local partners on sustainability efforts that range from solar energy to water conservation and food waste composting.
Food Waste Composting
Missouri Organic Recycling composts all food waste. This season, that totaled 61.75 tons – or the equivalent of 395,200 baseballs worth of food waste, according to Kevin Anderson, Missouri Organic Recycling president. Cooking oil is recycled through Filta Environmental Cooking Solutions. Duc Pham, local Filta franchise owner, reports 38,000 pounds of oil was collected for biodiesel this season.
Solar Energy Initiatives
The Royals partnered with KCP&L on a solar energy initiative, and in 2012 installed a 28.8-kilowatt solar system that produces approximately 36,000 kWh of renewable energy each year. In addition, KCP&L installed energy-efficient lighting and power infrastructure as part of the Kauffman Stadium renovations.
Royals Green Team
Royals’ fans help support green initiatives by joining the Royals Green Team. The team consists of volunteers from local schools, volunteer organizations and environmental groups who collect recyclable plastic bottles and aluminum cans from the seating bowl during select games throughout the season. For more information, visit www.royals.com/greenteam.
Aluminum/Plastic Recycling
Republic Services recycled a total of 93 tons of plastic and aluminum through September at Kauffman Stadium this year. All plastic and aluminum items are collected from the seating area for recycling following each game.
Glass Recycling
This season, Ripple Glass recycled 4.18 tons of glass materials from inside Kauffman Stadium.
Cardboard Recycling
Through September, Republic Services recycled 99 tons of cardboard from Royals and Aramark operations.
Office Recycling
The Royals front office staff also takes part in the recycling efforts at the ballpark. All office spaces feature containers for plastic, aluminum, paper and cardboard recycling. Office paper is shredded and recycled through Shred-It.
Electronics/Cell Phone Recycling
All old electronics throughout the ballpark and office areas are recycled through Surplus Exchange. The Royals hosts special events for fans to recycle their cell phones.
Water Efficiency Efforts
For the Kauffman Stadium fountains, Grundfos has installed an efficient pump system that decreases water and energy use. As a result of various water reduction efforts throughout the ballpark, the club’s water consumption is down 14 percent since August 2013.
Reduction in Paper Waste
The Royals have implemented a number of environmentally friendly initiatives to reduce paper waste, including a digital ticketing system and electronic collateral publications, such as the Royals media guide.
Recycled/Green Products
The club purchases recycled paper for all office spaces and uses 100-percent recycled or FSC Mix Certified toilet paper and paper towels in all Kauffman Stadium restrooms. All hand soap in office and ballpark restrooms is Green Seal Certified.
Top photo: “Kansas City Royals” by Keith Allison is licensed under CC by 2.0.
Like what you see? Keep up with more local stories by subscribing to the free Greenability Weekly. Sign up here.
Great job Royals…keep on finding new ways to be GREEN!