Greening Events: Beyond the Basics Ashley Pennington – University of Florida Jacob Cravey – Earth Givers/Neutral Gator

Tips for Success Set the bar – Carbon Neutral by 2025 / Zero Waste by 2015 Make it easy – Quantity and placement of bins/bags for consumer and cleanup crew Unique partnerships – Internal and external Remain proactive – Most concession disposables now compostable alternatives, as campus/county composting solution being finalized Self-reflect – What works? What doesn’t?

Game Day Recycling Est Fundraiser model ▫ Two hour shifts ▫ Sponsorship  Funding  Supplies  Outreach Strategic Design ▫ Identifying zones & assessing demand Cross campus coordination ▫ Grounds – putting out bins /A-frames; waste pickup ▫ UAA – post-game cleanup staff training (two bags)

Engaging and Educating Green Games ▫ One game a season for different athletics  Pre-game tabling – interaction, what’s recyclable  Halftime games / prizes Zero waste events ▫ Alumni Association, Student Affairs (Family Weekend, Preview) ▫ Partnering with research - biodigester

Culture Change Consistency ▫ Close gap: 90,000+ fans vs. 20 volunteers ▫ Ingratiating concept with tailgaters Publicity and Promotion ▫ “Brand” recognition through tabling & t-shirts ▫ Press releases and social media ▫ Stadium posters

Lessons Learned Perfecting the system ▫ Self service stations  Placement and frequency ▫ Bin Pairing  30,000 lbs. more collected in 2009, first year of paired bins ▫ Shifts  Not too many, not too long  Incentivizing later ones – pay volunteers double for kick-off shift

Leaving footprints on the competition, not the environment

The Vision The Neutral Gator Initiative would: Use Gator athletics as a vehicle to engage fans about ways to lower their environmental impact. Create a deeper relationships within the Gainesville community Provide UF with carbon offsets that are generated locally Set a new bar in collegiate athletics

The Model Elements of success: Willing Athletic Association Show them the benefits Outreach and Fan Engagement Be Creative Local Business Partnerships Choose wisely Community Based Carbon Offsets Support your local community Establish Diverse Community/Campus Relationships Be Inclusive

Growth Beyond Athletics Athletics was the start, the University is the future. Other UF departments that have offset events: 2010 Commencement University Alumni Association The Foundation UF Study Abroad Program

Contact Ashley Pennington, Outreach Coordinator Jacob Cravey, Executive Director