greening events: beyond the basics ashley pennington – university of florida jacob cravey –...
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Greening Events: Beyond the Basics
Ashley Pennington – University of FloridaJacob 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. 2006• 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
The Partnership
Leaving footprints on the competition, not the environment
•
The Neutral Gator Initiative
Mission:To provide locally generated carbon offsets to the University of Florida that support environmental, economic, and social equity development in the Gainesville community.
Established in 2008, the Neutral Gator Initiative was initially created to calculate and offset the carbon emissions from the Gator’s home football season
2009 - UF offset first Carbon Neutral Athletics' Program
2010 - UF continues to host Carbon Neutral Athletics' Program
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 [email protected]
Jacob Cravey, Executive Director [email protected]