In response to a November 2003 Student Congress resolution, OWRR and the Athletics Department launched a pilot project to recycle plastic bottles and beverage and popcorn cups at football games in Kenan Stadium. Initially run by OWRR staff and volunteers, recycling stations have been established and are now run by the Athletics Department.
Throughout the 2007 football season, an average of 1.01 tons of plastics and 1.06 ton of cardboard were collected each game. Total discards diverted from the landfill averaged 45.3% (by weight) throughout the season.
Workers who clean the stadium were instructed to collect trash and recyclables separately. During the games, announcements were made over the loud speakers to encourage fans to recycle. Vendors were also encouraged to recycle cardboard, a material banned from the Orange County landfill.
Encouraged by the success at Kenan, the Athletics Department has expanded the recycling program to its other outdoor venues.
For more athletic recycling statistics and information, visit the OWRR Special Events website.