February 25, 2019
The Oakland Athletics and Arizona State University's School of Sustainability announced a partnership to help Hohokam Stadium maximize sustainability efforts and move toward zero waste during the 2019 spring training season.
Hohokam Stadium, the spring training home of the Oakland A's, will be the focus of the "Recycle Rally" initiative that will test and implement zero waste strategies with the goals of reducing landfill impact, increasing operational efficiencies and improving the fan experience. The unique partnership launched on February 21, when the A's hosted the Seattle Mariners at Hohokam Stadium in Mesa, Arizona.
As part of the initiative, a group of 21 ASU students will analyze the ballpark's waste stream and operations to help the venue become more sustainable and environmentally friendly. ASU will then determine how the A's can minimize and most effectively manage waste, including incorporating effective waste diversion practices at the ballpark through recycling, reusing and composting.
"The A's are proud to call Mesa our home away from home, and we want to do our part to promote sustainability and minimize our environmental impact at Hohokam Stadium," said A's president Dave Kaval. "We are excited to team up with Arizona State University on this initiative and learn how to reach our goal of becoming a zero waste facility."
Colin Tetreault (pictured), a senior sustainability scholar with the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Institute of Sustainability who is directing the class of 21 "change agent" students as part of their defining capstone experience, added: "The School of Sustainability is honored to hit a home run for sustainability and zero waste with the Oakland A's. This collaboration is an example of how sustainability can drive innovation, reduce costs and overhead, and increase the fan experience."