Teams 
The Pirates "Let's Go Bucs. Let's Go Green." program integrates greening initiatives, sustainable business practices and educational outreach.
RECYCLING
Beginning in 2008, the Pirates implemented a robust recycling program at PNC Park. The club placed contour bottle receptacles throughout the ballpark with the "Let's Go Bucs. Let's Go Green" logo to draw the attention of fans to the initiative. At the end of each game, the Pirates have game day staff stationed at the exits of each section to collect any plastic bottles fans collect from their seating area. A "Green Team" made up of members from the PNC Park cleaning staff walks through every area of the ballpark picking up all plastic bottles prior to the ballpark's cleaning each night. All bottles are collected and recycled. The club continues to recycle all cardboard, as it has since PNC Park opened.
COMPOSTING
The Pirates bolstered these greening efforts in 2009 by incorporating composting, which is the recycling and reusing of organic materials to enhance soils and foster the growth of plants. At the time, the Pirates were one of only four major league teams, and only East coast club, to take this step in their ballpark.
This program allows for the collection of organic material, which helps in slowing down the production of methane, a greenhouse gas that is generated when food and organic material decompose in the landfill.
Through 2010, more than 390 tons of food waste has been composted at PNC Park through these efforts.
CONCESSIONAIRE INITIATIVES
Both of PNC Park's concessionaires, ARAMARK and Levy Restaurants, use corn-based beverage cups. The companies also have eliminated most of the non-biodegradable materials in the utensils, plates, napkins and food carriers that were used to serve fans in years past.
ENERGY CONSERVATION
The Pirates participate in Energy Star Portfolio Manager to help monitor and reduce energy consumption. We have taken steps to make the ballpark more energy efficient, including the following:
- Installing motion detectors in specific locations, using the lowest voltage lights possible in all Exit signs and switching to more energy efficient bulbs.
- All Pirates U.S.-based scouts now drive Chevy flex fuel vehicles that will conserve fuel usage and save on costs.
- Installed an HVAC system on an economizer cycle, which allows the use of outdoor air to condition interior areas when the air temperature is appropriate.
- All major fan units and comfort cooling pumps are on VFDs, or Variable Frequency Drives.
- The physical plant operates with a Trane Summit Building Management System (BMS), which allows the start up and shut down of the HVAC system by use of a timer.
- Domestic hot water has been re-piped to run on time of day schedule and eliminated two 5 hp pumps which saves on both electric and consumption of water.
- Changed concession goose neck lighting from incandescent light bulbs to compact fluorescent light bulbs, reducing the average wattage used from 100 watts to 25 watts.
- Changed elevator lights bulbs from incandescent light bulbs to compact fluorescent light bulbs reducing the average wattage used from 100 watts to 25 watts.
- Installed motion sensors in all mechanical rooms, restrooms, and some common areas in the ballpark.
- Organic products are grown and used by Levy Restaurants, and organic products are used in menu items by ARAMARK inside the Trib Total Media Hall of Fame Club.
WATER CONSERVATION
An 80-ton dry cooler has been installed to lessen the amount of chilled water and city water systems that have been utilized as a heat rejection source for many machines throughout the ballpark. The system includes installation of the dry cooler and glycol loop for refrigeration compressors heat rejection with circulating pumps equipped with variable frequency drives to vary the flow to match load requirements.
PAPER USAGE
All paper used in the ballpark and in the Pirates front office is more environmentally friendly. The toilet paper is now made from 100% recycled materials and restroom hand towels are made from 45% recycled materials. All of the team's office paper, including copy paper, team stationary and business cards are made from 30-percent post-consumer paper. The club also has eliminated the use of Styrofoam in the front office and we separate office trash into dry and wet receptacles in order to recycle all dry waste paper products.
Finally, both of PNC Park's concessionaires, ARAMARK and Levy Restaurants, use corn-based beverage cups. The companies also eliminated most of the non-biodegradable materials in the utensils, plates, napkins and food carriers that were used to serve fans in years past.
PRINTING
The Pirates print the club's various publications in soy-based ink on FSC certified paper, including the club's game day publication, First Pitch, the annual Pirates Yearbook, the annual Community Report and PNC Park's A to Z Guide.
CLEANING PRODUCTS
CB Richard Ellis uses Environmental Protection Agency recommended Designed for Environment (DFE) cleaning products to clean the ballpark.
AWARENESS CAMPAIGN
The Pirates promote the program through a number of channels, including in-ballpark signage and public service announcements from Pirates players.
The club promotes various program initiatives on the club's official website, pirates.com, in various publications and during game broadcasts.
The club also educates and empowers its employees to take part in and promote the program.
EARTH DAY
The Pirates celebrate Earth Day every year, giving away "green" Pirates caps to all fans entering the gates during the game, which are made of recycled plastic bottles.
In 2010, we obtained 50 renewable credits for Earth Day, which was a day game, and were 100% Green-e certified for that day.
