Mariners going green for Earth Day

In the spirit of Earth Day, the Mariners are teaming up with Cedar Grove Composting to stage “the first carbon-neutral game in Major League history.” In order to achieve this goal, the Mariners will decrease the global-warming impact of energy used at Safeco Field during the game between the Mariners and the Orioles. The global warming impacts brought about by the game are:

• Emissions associated with electricity and natural gas used to operate Safeco Field.

• Disposal or recycling of waste generated during the game.

• Air travel emissions for the Orioles (from Baltimore), Mariners (from Los Angeles) and umpires for the game.

• Hotel-related emissions for Orioles and the umpires.

• Ground travel to and from the ballpark by staff and fans.

“More than 230 short tons of carbon-dioxide pollution will be generated from these energy use activities,” according to a Mariners press release. In order to decrease the impact of these emissions, “the Mariners will have to purchase high-quality carbon offsets from NativeEnergy, a leading carbon-offsets company that helps build and support new renewable energy projects, and 58,000 kilowatt hours of ‘green power’ credits from the Seattle City Light Green Up program.”

Howard Lincoln, the Mariners’ chairman and CEO was quoted saying,

We know that just buying carbon offsets isn’t enough, said. This is not a one-time event for us. We are committed to a comprehensive program of recycling and conservation so that we are operating Safeco Field and the entire Mariners organization in a way that minimizes our impact on the environment.

Last year the Mariners recycled 342 tons of plastic bottles, paper, cardboard, cans and glass and became one of two Major League teams to recycle food waste. They also separated 100 tons of food scraps and food-contaminated paper from the waste stream so it could be made into compost by Cedar Grove. The Mariners have thus far reduced their use of natural gas by 36 percent as well as their electricity consumption by 18 percent. This shows how the Mariners are leading by example and that other organizations should follow this trend of “going green.”

There will be several agencies at the game that will be available to help fans learn more about how each of them can reduce their own carbon impact. “Cedar Grove will hand out packets of seeds and provide fans with a coupon for discounts on their compost products, made from recycled food and yard waste collected in King and Snohomish Counties.” They will also provide a few locations within the ball park where fans can recycle their food waste as well as their food-contaminated paper.