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Sustainability Game Day Challenge

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Every year, Stanford competes against other universities, both within the PAC-12 and nationally, to see who can minimize the waste impact of a certain game during the season. The Game Day Challenge takes place during one football, one men's, and one women's basketball game during which Stanford tries to beat out the competition to see who can reduce the most waste. Office of Sustainability, in partnership with the Department of Athletics, Physical Education, and Recreation and Peninsula Sanitary Services, Inc., challenge you to show your Cardinal Green spirit throughout the season. Learn more about the sustainability advancements Stanford Athletics has made in recent years, and join a Game Day Challenge to promote composting and waste reduction at our athletic events:

During the Game Day Challenges, Stanford measures the amount of waste generated at the stadium and reports on diversion rates. We earn additional points for fan engagement, and encourage all fans to get involved. So while you yell "Go Card," be sure to go Cardinal Green! 

Get Involved

1. Be sure to recycle and compost as much as possible

Recycling and composting will be available throughout the stadium, as well as many tailgate areas. Tailgating fans should collect their waste in three streams: green (compostable bags) for compost; clear bags for recyclables; and black bags for all other trash—then dispose of it in the correct central dumpster. These bag sets will be provided to fans in some lots, and they’ll be available at all Guest Services tents.

Once inside the stadium, look for more compostable items, including a new compostable cup and lid for soft drinks! Also look for new signs on all the waste bins that show what goes where. If you've got bottles and cans, food waste, dirty napkins, pizza boxes, or other compostable items, make sure to dispose of it in the right bin. 

2. Encourage your peers to minimize waste

You can be a Cardinal Green Athletics champion by encouraging the people that you're with to get involved. We are all in this together, and can only win if everyone does their part. Let everyone you're with know about the Game Day Challenge. 

3. Think before you drink. Do you really need a straw or lid?

Small items like straws and lids may not seem like a big deal, but they can really add up. There are an estimated 500 million straws thrown away in the US every day! At Stanford Stadium, that amounts to about 3,000 straws per game. Be mindful with these and other disposable items, and take only what you really need. 

4. Broadcast your Cardinal Green spirit

Throughout the game there will factoids highlighting sustainability efforts at Stanford. Snap a photo if you see one, or share a photo of your sorting skills and share it on social media. Tag  #gostanford to have it show up on the big screen during the game! Tag @sustainablestanford to be entered to win a prize.