Baseball Stadium Sustainability By: Liam Fitzgerald 8 TH Grade, Tamarac Middle School RPI EcoEd Middle School Research Project Spring 2012

Stakeholders A stakeholder is person with an interest or concern in something (Merriam-Webster Dictionary) A stakeholder is person with an interest or concern in something (Merriam-Webster Dictionary) It can also be described as someone who is affected by the topic It can also be described as someone who is affected by the topic

Major League Baseball Make all decisions for the league Make all decisions for the league Meet regularly with environmental advocates Meet regularly with environmental advocates Inform team owners about changes to be made Inform team owners about changes to be made

Stadium Grounds Crew Apply changes to the stadium Apply changes to the stadium Become healthier if the team decides to make better chemical choices Become healthier if the team decides to make better chemical choices

MLB Fans Pay majority of the money Pay majority of the money Support the league Support the league Changes to Major League Baseball stadiums raise awareness among fans Changes to Major League Baseball stadiums raise awareness among fans

MLB Owners/Management Manage all money for their specific team Manage all money for their specific team Decide what changes are made to their parks Decide what changes are made to their parks Brian Cashman General Manager of the New York Yankees

MLB Players Using the field that is being changed Using the field that is being changed MLBPA has to agree with all changes made by MLB MLBPA has to agree with all changes made by MLB

Environmental Concerns Overview Stadium Lights Stadium Lights Garbage/Waste Disposal Garbage/Waste Disposal Water Consumption Water Consumption Grass Chemicals Grass Chemicals

Stadium Lights High-energy consumer High-energy consumer Often inefficient Often inefficient Release more energy than close to all other major ballpark appliances combined Release more energy than close to all other major ballpark appliances combined

Garbage/Waste Disposal No recycling programs No recycling programs Limited garbage cans Limited garbage cans Few biodegradable items Few biodegradable items Lots of litter around the park Lots of litter around the park

Grass Chemicals Had a sponsorship with Scott’s Miracle-Gro using semi-toxic chemicals Had a sponsorship with Scott’s Miracle-Gro using semi-toxic chemicals Together, MLB teams use 75 MILLION pounds of pesticides each year Together, MLB teams use 75 MILLION pounds of pesticides each year

Water Consumption An endless amount of water is used by every big league stadium every day An endless amount of water is used by every big league stadium every day 10 Million Gallons Each Year per stadium 10 Million Gallons Each Year per stadium Water is a resource we need to survive Water is a resource we need to survive

Environmental Solutions Overview Solar Panels Solar Panels Recycling Programs Recycling Programs Healthier Chemicals Healthier Chemicals Rain Water Harvesting Program Rain Water Harvesting Program

Solar Panels 10+ Parks have already switched to panels, some that could power up to 400 TV’s 10+ Parks have already switched to panels, some that could power up to 400 TV’s Less energy is used by lighting Less energy is used by lighting

Recycling Program 90% of all MLB stadiums now have fan- accessible recycling program 90% of all MLB stadiums now have fan- accessible recycling program Reduces amount of litter Reduces amount of litter Reduces amount of trash at local landfills Reduces amount of trash at local landfills

Healthier Chemicals Reduce amount of pesticides used on field Reduce amount of pesticides used on field Limit association with brand name lawn programs Limit association with brand name lawn programs

Rain Water Harvesting Program Used by Target Field and Nationals Park Used by Target Field and Nationals Park Collects up to 4.8 million gallons of water each year Collects up to 4.8 million gallons of water each year Underground contraption, that collects precipitation and filters it Underground contraption, that collects precipitation and filters it

Closing Argument The Minnesota Twins were awarded the LEED Silver Certification The Minnesota Twins were awarded the LEED Silver Certification Miller Park (Home of the Brewers) was also awarded the LEED Certification Miller Park (Home of the Brewers) was also awarded the LEED Certification Other ballparks to go above and beyond are Nationals Park, Fenway Park, Safeco Field, Progressive Field and AT&T Park. Other ballparks to go above and beyond are Nationals Park, Fenway Park, Safeco Field, Progressive Field and AT&T Park.