Fan Forum
Let's Go Bucs. Let's Go Green
The Pirates "Let's Go Bucs. Let's Go Green." program integrates greening initiatives, sustainable business practices and educational outreach.
The program's launch marks the beginning of a dedicated effort by the Pirates and PNC Park partners CB Richard Ellis, ARAMARK and Levy Restaurants to be more environmentally conscious in their collective efforts to go green moving forward. The initiatives that are being put in place at PNC Park will have an immediate positive impact and not only make sense for the environment, but business sense as well.
The "Let's Go Bucs. Let's Go Green." program is also a way that the Pirates are utilizing the club's position within the community to raise awareness of this important issue.
"This is the beginning of a dedicated effort by the Pirates, and our partners, to strengthen our commitment to go green when possible moving forward," said Bob Nutting, Pirates Chairman of the Board. "The measures being put into place at PNC Park will have an immediate positive impact. These initiatives not only make sense for the environment, but they make good business sense as well."
PROGRAM PROGRESS
So far this season through the work of greening initiatives, the Pirates have recycled:
  • 6.19 tons of commingled (aluminum - 1,850 pounds & plastic - 10,510 pounds)
  • 1.191 tons of paper
  • 590 pounds of glass
  • 10.99 tons of cardboard
  • 1,550 gallons of cooking oil that has/will be converted to bio diesel fuel
PROGRAM INITIATIVES
The following are some of the program elements:
    Recycling
    A fan recycles his plastic bottle during a game.
    Go Green
    An usher collects plastic bottles for recycling.
    Go Green
    Pirates Chairman Bob Nutting (middle) discusses the Pirates "Let's Go Bucs, Let's Go Green" campaign on CBS's The Early Show.
  • Recycling - Beginning during the 2008 season, the Pirates will implement a robust recycling program at PNC Park. The club will place 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 will 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 will then walk through every area of the ballpark picking up all plastic bottles prior to the ballpark's cleaning each night. All bottles will be collected and recycled. The club will also continue to recycle all cardboard, as it has since PNC Park opened.
  • Concessionaire Initiatives - Both of PNC Park's concessionaires, ARAMARK and Levy Restaurants, will be using corn-based beverage cups. The companies will also eliminate most of the non-biodegradable materials in the utensils, plates, napkins and food carriers that were used to serve fans in years past.
  • Energy - The Pirates are taking steps to make the ballpark more energy efficient by installing motion detectors in specific locations, using the lowest voltage lights possible in all Exit signs and switching to more energy efficient bulbs that are now available. The club will also be conducting a complete energy audit to discover additional opportunities for energy conservation.
  • Paper Usage - All paper used in the ballpark and in the Pirates front office will be more environmentally friendly. The toilet paper will now be made from 100% recycled materials and restroom hand towels will be made from 45% recycled materials. All of the team's office paper, including copy paper, team stationary and business cards will be made from 30-percent post-consumer paper. The club will also eliminate the use of Styrofoam cups in the front office as well as separate office trash into dry and wet receptacles in order to recycle all dry waste paper products.
  • Printing - The Pirates have begun printing the club's various publications in soy-based ink on FSC certified paper, including the club's game day publication Pirates Insider, annual Community Report and PNC Park's A to Z Guide.
  • Fuel Flex Vehicles - All Pirates U.S.-based scouts now drive Chevy flex fuel vehicles that will conserve fuel usage and save on costs.
  • Cleaning Products - CB Richard Ellis will use Environmental Protection Agency recommended Designed for Environment (DFE) cleaning products to clean the ballpark.
  • Awareness Campaign - The Pirates are planning promotion of the program through a number of channels, including in-ballpark signage and public service announcements from Pirates players. The club will promote various program initiatives moving forward on the club's official website, Pirates.com, in various publications and during game broadcasts. The club is also educating and empowering its employees to take part in and promote the program.