U-M Increases Michigan Stadium Waste Diversion Rate in 2018
12/7/2018 11:23:00 AM | Football, Sustainability
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan Athletic department took another step forward in its effort towards zero waste in Michigan Stadium, diverting 89.03 percent of the total waste created inside the stadium to compost and recycling.
"This was our second season of implementing the Zero Waste initiative," said Paul Dunlop, Senior Facilities Manager for Michigan Stadium and Crisler Center. "I'm proud of our efforts to divert over 65 tons of waste away from landfill for the 2018 season. We evaluated and tried to improve operations after each home game to ensure as much waste as possible was recycled or composted."
Michigan improved its diversion rate from 2017, when it diverted 88.17 percent of the total waste. In seven games, U-M was able to reach the industry standard of zero waste (90 percent) three times. The diversion rate was 90.87 percent for Southern Methodist, a season-high 90.91 percent for Maryland and 90.11 percent in the season finale against Indiana.
Overall, there was 73.48 tons of waste in seven home games. Michigan took into account 3.5 tons of donated food that otherwise would have counted towards the landfill total and lowered the diversion rate.
"One new element in our data reporting this year was the food donation program," said Dunlop. "Our catering and concessions partner, Sodexo, donated an estimated 1,000 pounds of various products to food rescue programs after each game. This initiative has been going on for many years, but we thought it was important to include in our overall diversion calculation as this waste is being kept out of landfill as well."
Sodexo has supported the University of Michigan's zero waste initiative, changing over many of its products and packaging to account for the 32.09 tons of recycling and 29.83 tons of compostable waste that otherwise would have been sent to landfill.
 "As the foodservice provider for University of Michigan athletics, Sodexo is committed to the Planet Blue mission and the zero waste goal at football games," said Sodexo general manager Jon Collier. "We have converted all fan facing products to compostable or recyclable items including straws, cups, plates and utensils. Our employees and nonprofit volunteers continue to work towards the goal of reducing our landfill waste to zero."
Dunlop and his staff at Michigan Stadium continue to gather information on how weather conditions and kickoff times impact the overall quantity and composition of waste generated. The goal will continue to be the 90 percent diversion rate for each home game.
"I'd like to thank our many partners who helped make the Zero Waste program a success, including Sodexo, JNS Facility Maintenance, WeCare Denali LLC, Fr. Gabriel Richard High School and the University of Michigan Waste Management Services Department," said Dunlop.
For information on the University of Michigan's sustainability goals visit http://sustainability.umich.edu/
