By Claire Pieper

Tonight, the World Series is kicking off between the New York Mets and the Kansas City Royals! The EAF group is incredibly excited to watch the series, which will be played at Citi Field in New York and Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. While the home runs and legacies of both teams are making the headlines, it is also amazing to think about the logistics behind the many green initiatives that go into making the full World Series experience.

Inevitably, large venues like baseball stadiums face the challenge of simply bringing together large numbers of people and providing massive amounts of retail, food, and other services like restrooms, let alone trying to make these practices environmentally friendly. However, both of the teams represented in the World Series play in venues with dedicated green initiatives. When building and designing Citi Field in 2009, the Mets partnered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to reduce energy, water, and solid waste production across all operations. [1] Some of the green initiatives undertaken include purchasing green energy, using recycled steel during construction, green recycling of oil waste and batteries, choosing low-flow toilets and sinks, and putting in a roof across the stadium. [1] Moreover, the Mets have partnered with Action Carting Environmental Services and Aramark to compost in all kitchens, suites, clubs, and restaurants and to compost grass clippings from the field. [2] The 10,000 square-foot “green” roof acts as extra insulation to retain cool air in the summer and heat in the winter. The park is also equipped with a temperature-control system that reduces energy consumption by up to 50% using energy-efficient air handlers, pumps, and chillers. [1] The Mets also have purchased green products such as compostable utensils and post-consumer recycles cups, napkins and plates. [2] It is for these reasons that Citi Field is considered to be of the greenest stadiums in baseball. [3]

The home of the Kansas City Royals, Kauffman Stadium was originally built in 1973. While it is often difficult to implement green practices into older stadiums, during the stadium’s recent renovation between 2009-2012, new improvements have helped make strides to maximize renewable energy resources. In 2012, as part of the Royals’ agreement with Kansas City Power and Light Company to maximize renewable energy resources at the park, a 120-panel solar energy system was added onto the Outfield Experience canopy roof and the solar energy kiosk nearby. [4] As one of the Royals’ many community programs, the organization supports a “Green Team” that helps with green events such as collecting recyclables during home games and promoting green awareness to patrons.  [5]

While large stadiums undoubtedly put strain on the surrounding ecosystems and the larger environment, the Mets’ Citi Field and the Royals’ Kauffman Stadium are two standouts in environmental conservation, further enhancing fans’ experiences while enjoying one of America’s favorite past times.

 

Solar Panels at Kauffman Stadium

Solar Panels at Kauffman Stadium [7]

 

 

 

Websites Cited:

[1] “Citi Field is Green,” New York Mets, accessed October 20, 2015, <http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/nym/community/green.jsp>

[2] “Mets expand green initiative at Citi Field,” Major League Baseball, last modified April 23, 3015, accessed October 20, 2015, <http://m.mlb.com/news/article/29457622/mets-expand-green-initiatives-at-citi-field>

[3] “7 Most Energy-Efficient Baseball Stadiums,” Inhabitat, last modified October 18, 2012, accessed October 20, 2015, <http://inhabitat.com/the-7-most-energy-efficient-baseball-stadiums-in-the-u-s/>

[4] “Royals Blue is Going Green,” Kansas City Power & Light Company, last modified April 4, 2012, accessed October 20, 2015, <http://www.kcpl.com/about-kcpl/between-the-lines/2012/april/royals-blue-is-going-green>

[5] “Royals introduce Green Team initiative for 2010,” last modified April 14, 2010, accessed October 20, 2015, <http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20100414&content_id=9291072&vkey=pr_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc>

[6] “Sustainability in the Majors: 6 Stadiums with Green Roofs,” last modified on September 24, 2015, accessed October 26, 2015, <http://www.powerhousegrowers.com/sustainability-majors-6-stadiums-with-green-roofs/> via BayAreaSportsGuy.com

[7] “Solar Energy All Stars: The Top 5 Stadiums By Solar Power,” accessed October 26, 2015, <http://blog.energysage.com/solar-energy-all-stars-the-top-5-stadiums-by-solar-power/>