Aug 23, 2010
Successful Recycling Program for Tailgaters Returns
We are ahead of last year in this first game…next opportunity is Saturday. August 28!
This year, the Panthers Tailgate Recycling Partners are raising the bar by 16% for a new goal of 35 tons sent to the Mecklenburg Recycling Facility (MRF). As of Saturday night’s game, we are nearly 5% closer to our goal!
In 2009/2010, Panther tailgating fans scored a big city win by supporting the recycling program coordinated by Keep Mecklenburg Beautiful, Bojangles’, The City of Charlotte Solid Waste Services/Special Services, Charlotte Center City Partners and The Carolina Panthers. Fans diverted 30% of their tailgate party waste from the landfill by recycling bottles and cans.
New this year: The recycling program for tailgaters is being expanded from the original four block area near Bank of America Stadium …and fans can add clean cardboard to the bags in addition to recyclable bottles and cans.
The program is back for the 2010-11 season and will work the same as last year. Tailgaters will receive a yellow recycling bag as they enter their usual parking lot. Before heading into the stadium, tailgaters are instructed to leave bags (and collapsed cardboard if not in the bag) at the curb to be picked up by Charlotte’s Special Services teams.
Program partners hope to increase awareness and participation by ramping up their communication and education efforts. Parking lot operators are bolstering their in-house communication with game day operators in an effort to get more bags out to tailgaters. Volunteers are also being recruited to assist parking lot operators in distributing extra bags and sharing information with fans about what to recycle and collection.
“We are excited to build on our successes from last season’s recycling efforts. The partnership remains dedicated to diverting waste from our landfills,” says Scott Paul, Operations Manager for the Carolina Panthers. “We will continue to focus on educating our fans about the processes we have in place in order to exceed our goals for the 2010 season. Thank you to Bojangles, Charlotte Center City Partners, Bank of America, Keep Mecklenburg Beautiful, Charlotte City Services, and especially our fans for this important endeavor.”
Overall, according to Charlotte’s Solid Waste Services/Special Services Department, tailgating generates close to 10 tons of waste on most game days. “This year our goal is to build on the success of last year with increased participation from the fans. It’s was tremendous to see the program evolve last year. Now through better education, communication and volunteer participation, we hope to make significant strides this year.” says Jake Wilson, Executive Director of Keep Mecklenburg Beautiful. “We know we can.”
Be a Volunteer for the Program
Enjoy being part of the Panthers game day excitement? Join the fun while working for a cleaner, greener Charlotte at the same time! Volunteers are being recruited to assist parking lot operators in distributing extra bags and sharing information with fans about what to recycle and with collection.
Below is information for volunteers: • Volunteers are needed for two preseason home games (August 21st & 28th) start at 8:00pm. Volunteer commitment is 4p-8p. • Volunteers are needed for regular home games which start September 19th and have a 1:00pm kickoff. Volunteer commitment is from 9a-1p. • Volunteers meet at the Hal Marshal Center (free parking). Volunteer coordinators will meet volunteers at the Hal Marshal building and arrange logistics. (700 N. Tryon Street)
“Through better education, communication and volunteer participation we know we can reach more tailgating fans and help divert even more waste from going to the landfill.” says Jake Wilson, Executive Director of Keep Mecklenburg Beautiful. “We are reaching out to people who care about the environment, who are looking for a meaningful opportunity to give back to the community or who just want to be part of the Panthers game day excitement and work for a cleaner, greener Charlotte at the same time.”
Media contact and volunteer interest inquiries should be directed to: Jake Wilson, Keep Mecklenburg Beautiful at (704) 432-1772 or (704) 621-7372 (cell) Jake.Wilson@mecklenburgcountync.gov.
