Spring Break
New tailgating initiatives help environment
Gameday volunteers strive to keep '07 tailgating green
MANDI WOODUFF
Issue date: 8/24/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
According to the University Athletic Association, more than 640,000 football fans will visit campus this football season. After the tents are packed away and fans go home, thousands of pounds of garbage will be left behind.
A crew of 200 paid workers collects more than 35 tons of waste from campus following games, said Bill Fox, president of American Stadium Services.
"It's coming from more than just the students," Fox said. "If it wasn't trash when you came, it shouldn't be trash when you leave."
When asked how much his corporation spends on cleanup efforts, Fox said, "I can tell you this - it ain't cheap."
According to Erin Curtin, a public relations account executive from Nicholson Kovac Inc., Georgia fans can tailgate in an environmentally friendly way without dampening pre-game festivities.
She recommends the use of recyclable glass bottles and containers rather than plastic.
"You can feel good about supporting the environment as well as the Bulldogs," Curtin said.
To help recycling efforts, the University introduced the Gameday recycling initiative during the 2006 football season.
Andrew Lentini, the program education specialist for Athens-Clarke County Recycling Division, said volunteers distributed garbage bags for recyclable items to tailgaters three hours prior to kickoff.
"The best part was how much fun we were able to have encouraging people to recycle," Lentini said.
Gameday volunteers leave before kickoff and are able to attend the games. The Athens-Clarke County solid waste department picks up the filled bags after the game.
Jessica O'Neal, a junior from Dublin, said she has tailgated previously.
"If I see recycling bins, then, yes, I will use them," O'Neal said. "I think most people would."
Ashley Dronenburg, president of Students for Environmental Awareness, said people should pay attention to what they're eating as well.
She suggested buying organic foods that are safe for the environment, such as produce and meat products that are grown without pesticides
"Most people do care about the environment," Dronenburg said. "They just don't know how to make small changes."
For information on becoming a Gameday volunteer, contact Suki Janssen at suki@acc-recylcing.org.
A crew of 200 paid workers collects more than 35 tons of waste from campus following games, said Bill Fox, president of American Stadium Services.
"It's coming from more than just the students," Fox said. "If it wasn't trash when you came, it shouldn't be trash when you leave."
When asked how much his corporation spends on cleanup efforts, Fox said, "I can tell you this - it ain't cheap."
According to Erin Curtin, a public relations account executive from Nicholson Kovac Inc., Georgia fans can tailgate in an environmentally friendly way without dampening pre-game festivities.
She recommends the use of recyclable glass bottles and containers rather than plastic.
"You can feel good about supporting the environment as well as the Bulldogs," Curtin said.
To help recycling efforts, the University introduced the Gameday recycling initiative during the 2006 football season.
Andrew Lentini, the program education specialist for Athens-Clarke County Recycling Division, said volunteers distributed garbage bags for recyclable items to tailgaters three hours prior to kickoff.
"The best part was how much fun we were able to have encouraging people to recycle," Lentini said.
Gameday volunteers leave before kickoff and are able to attend the games. The Athens-Clarke County solid waste department picks up the filled bags after the game.
Jessica O'Neal, a junior from Dublin, said she has tailgated previously.
"If I see recycling bins, then, yes, I will use them," O'Neal said. "I think most people would."
Ashley Dronenburg, president of Students for Environmental Awareness, said people should pay attention to what they're eating as well.
She suggested buying organic foods that are safe for the environment, such as produce and meat products that are grown without pesticides
"Most people do care about the environment," Dronenburg said. "They just don't know how to make small changes."
For information on becoming a Gameday volunteer, contact Suki Janssen at suki@acc-recylcing.org.
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