Mercedes-Benz Stadium becomes first pro sports stadium in world to achieve zero waste

ATLANTA — Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the downtown Atlanta home of the Falcons, United F.C., numerous concerts and other events each year, is the first pro sports stadium in the world to be awarded a certification for its zero waste efforts.

The stadium announced Monday it had received recognition from Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI), which recognizes buildings and projects which have established programs and policies for sustainable waste management and reduction practices.

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The following are among the practices and programs the stadium uses to achieve zero waste:

• Using supply chain items made from recyclable and compostable materials

• Leveraging a 6,000-square-foot resource recovery room (R3) to reclaim, sort and divert materials from landfill

• Sustainability education and engagement programs for fans, associates and the stadium’s food and beverage partners

• Recycling and compost bins in every stadium suite

“Businesses must go beyond our current wasteful practices and think critically about how to redesign processes so that less waste is produced in the first place,” notes Peter Templeton, president and CEO of U.S. Green Building Council and GBCI. “Implementing zero waste business practices requires rethinking, retraining, new tools, and strong leadership to change current waste systems. With Mercedes-Benz Stadium’s leadership in this endeavor, they are making great strides for their employees, community, and the sports industry at large.”

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The stadium says some of the other sustainable practices it follows include water retention, energy conservation, alternative transportation, urban garden and agriculture programs.

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