Cal Poly Humboldt
IN-4: Green Athletics

• Zero Waste and/or Carbon Neutral Athletic Events: Via participation in the GameDay Recycling Challenge “Green Zone” Football Program, Humboldt State University achieved a waste diversion rate of between 70-90% for recycling and composting in 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015. This achievement is recognized with the inclusion of HSU on the GameDay Challenge Wall of Fame list here: http://gamedaychallenge.org/zero-waste-wall-of-fame-list/. The GameDay Challenge consists of competing against 50 other schools across the country to reduce waste at college football games. HSU typically participated in the challenge during the Homecoming football game each fall and took action to set up additional compost and recycling collection bins around the stadium and tailgate area. Furthermore, student employees and volunteers with the Waste Reduction & Resource Awareness Program (WRRAP) were stationed at collection bins to help fans choose the correct disposal bin for each material and helped man the HSU Take Back the Tap four-spigot water bar so that fans could forego one-use bottled water containers. The Challenge is coordinated by the College & University Recycling Coalition (CURC), Recyclemania, Keep America Beautiful, and the EPA’s WasteWise program. Read more at: http://gamedaychallenge.org/.
• One additional waste related initiative in the Athletics Department is that all 12 teams (including women’s and men’s cross-country teams) are provided reusable water bottles by the Athletics department in order to eliminate one-use water bottles. This means that around 450 athletes per year forego one-use water containers during practice and games. Most athletes hold on to the same bottle for their entire tenure as a student athlete, with only 30-40 replacement bottles purchased annually. In addition, most visiting teams bring their own reusable bottles with them when they travel to HSU, but the Athletics department provides them upon request to visiting teams.
• Minimization of potable water & chemicals in turf maintenance & grounds-keeping: In spring/summer 2014, Humboldt State began implementing several water reductions efforts for turf and grounds-keeping, among other buildings operations measures. These efforts are ongoing, and continue into the 2016-2017 academic year. Turf and grounds measures include:
a. Conduct domestic & irrigation water system leak detection survey
b. Manually reduce irrigation watering
c. Repair domestic & irrigation water system leaks per survey findings
d. Install building & system level water metering
e. Install soil moisture controlled irrigation system controllers including data lines for programs
f. Install water storage system for greenhouse watering

HSU plans to advance sustainability efforts in the Athletics department in the coming years. Areas of focus will likely be: sustainable food and beverage purchasing, support for sustainable transportation options to athletic events, increased community engagement, and creation of an athletic team certification program. In particular, a few actions that the Athletics department hopes to pursue in the future include: phase out single use beverage containers by introducing reusable canteens and cups and going to fountain drinks, implementation of "ticketless" entry with smart phone technology, introduction of incentives for carpooling and shuttle busing to games, overall increase in the visibility of sustainability efforts on the website, on screens at games, and visual or audio presentations/reminders during games.