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Achieving Sustainability beyond Zero Waste: A Case Study from a College Football Stadium

Author

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  • Christine Costello

    (Bioengineering Department, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA)

  • Ronald G. McGarvey

    (Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
    Truman School of Public Affairs, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA)

  • Esma Birisci

    (Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA)

Abstract

Collegiate sporting venues have been leading efforts toward zero-waste events in pursuit of more sustainable operations. This study audited the landfill-destined waste generated at the University of Missouri (MU) football stadium in 2014 and evaluated the life cycle greenhouse gas (GHG) and energy use associated with waste management options, including options that do and do not comply with zero-waste definitions. An estimated 47.3 metric tons (mt) of waste was generated, the majority (29.6 mt waste) came from off-site, pre-game food preparation activities; of which over 96 percent (%) was pre-consumer and un-sold food waste. The remaining 17.7 mt originated from inside the stadium; recyclable materials accounting for 43%, followed by food waste, 24%. Eleven waste management strategies were evaluated using the Waste Reduction Model (WARM). Results indicate that scenarios achieving zero waste compliance are not necessarily the most effective means of reducing GHG emissions or energy use. The two most effective approaches are eliminating edible food waste and recycling. Source reduction of edible food reduced GHGs by 103.1 mt (carbon dioxide equivalents) CO 2 e and generated energy savings of 448.5 GJ compared to the baseline. Perfect recycling would result in a reduction of 25.4 mt CO 2 e and 243.7 GJ compared to the baseline. The primary challenges to achieving these reductions are the difficulties of predicting demand for food and influencing consumer behavior.

Suggested Citation

  • Christine Costello & Ronald G. McGarvey & Esma Birisci, 2017. "Achieving Sustainability beyond Zero Waste: A Case Study from a College Football Stadium," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(7), pages 1-20, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:9:y:2017:i:7:p:1236-:d:104736
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Linh N. K. Duong & Lincoln C. Wood & William Y. C. Wang, 2018. "Effects of Consumer Demand, Product Lifetime, and Substitution Ratio on Perishable Inventory Management," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(5), pages 1-17, May.
    2. Casper, Jonathan M. & McCullough, Brian P. & Pfahl, Michael E., 2020. "Examining environmental fan engagement initiatives through values and norms with intercollegiate sport fans," Sport Management Review, Elsevier, vol. 23(2), pages 348-360.
    3. Kun Ai & Racek Oldrich & Hai Tan & Peng Xu, 2020. "Sustainable Innovation in Football Referee Training in Czech Republic," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-13, April.
    4. Gema Lobillo Mora & Xavier Ginesta & Jordi de San Eugenio Vela, 2021. "Corporate Social Responsibility and Football Clubs: The Value of Environmental Sustainability as a Basis for the Rebranding of Real Betis Balompié in Spain," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(24), pages 1-16, December.
    5. Manav Khanna & Tiberio Daddi & Federico Merlo & Fabio Iraldo, 2024. "An Assessment on the Carbon Footprint of a Football Club—an Action Research from Theory to Practice," Circular Economy and Sustainability, Springer, vol. 4(2), pages 1587-1612, June.

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