The Baltimore Ravens have teamed with Central Parking System and the Maryland Stadium Authority (MSA) to develop a recycling program for the parking lots around M&T Bank Stadium that are owned by MSA. The Ravens and MSA have been recycling at M&T Bank Stadium since 2005 and have seen a 400% increase in collection numbers since the inception of their recycling efforts. The goal of expanding recycling efforts to MSA-owned parking lots is to capture and recycle all of the bottles, cans and plastic containers from patrons tailgating at Ravens home games.
On Sunday (9/26), a pilot program will be launched in parking Lot G for the Ravens' home opener vs. the Cleveland Browns. Central Parking will distribute special recycling bags to fans as they drive onto the lot. Tailgaters will be encouraged to place all bottles, cans and plastic containers in the bags during their pre-game tailgate and then place filled bags into a designated recycling container at the entrance of the parking lot. Also, a recycling team will circulate throughout Lot G to provide additional recycling bags, help collect filled bags and generally encourage fans to recycle.
"Over the last several years, the Ravens and MSA have implemented a comprehensive recycling program for the stadium and the surrounding walkways," Ravens vice president of stadium operations Roy Sommerhof stated. "Now, our attention turns toward the parking lots where we believe there are substantial recycling opportunities. We hope that our fans will choose to participate fully in the program."
Central Parking System project manager Justin Rogers echoed the importance of fan participation: "Recycling starts with the individual, so empowering our fans by starting in the lots is a great new direction, and we hope to stay the course," Rogers said. "We are very excited about rolling out this program and eager to see the results."
The Ravens, Central Parking and MSA hope to expand the program to other MSA-owned parking lots during the 2010 football season.
"The Maryland Stadium Authority is committed to leading by example in implementing Governor O'Malley's ambitious environmental goals," Maryland Stadium Authority chairman John Morton, III added. "We want to demonstrate responsible stewardship of our public facility, and at the same time educate our visitors to the importance of recycling.
"We also hope these efforts will alleviate some of the impact on our neighbors on game day," he continued. "Through this recycling initiative we will significantly reduce litter and trash in the nearby community."
Additionally, in line with preserving the environmental integrity of the nearby community, the Ravens will join TreeBaltimore, in partnership with CSX, City Year, the Alliance for Community Trees and the Sharp Leadenhall community for a tree planting/park "spruce up" event on Saturday, Oct. 9, at the park adjacent to Lots G and H. More than 150 volunteers will be planting and mulching trees, repairing fences and benches, painting a mural and conducting general park cleanup.
