College football games can generate up to 100 tons of waste, according to the EPA. Sustainability efforts at UT are now being geared specifically towards offsetting those numbers. Through the Zero Waste Game Day initiative, more than 184 tons of waste were kept out of landfills in 2023.
“It used to be all of the stuff that we gathered went to the landfill, just went straight to trash,” said Kathryn Myers, the academic engagement coordinator within the Office of Sustainability. “It does my heart good to know, to see … the amount that would have gone to the landfill going to be recycled and reused and repurposed.”
Zero Waste Game Day is a volunteer effort designed to eliminate waste and encourage recycling in and around Neyland Stadium on game days. During the morning shift, volunteers visit all the tailgaters’ tents and hand out recycling and trash bags. They explain some differences between the two and engage with the tailgaters to promote recycling. During the beginning of the game, the volunteers also man recycling frames outside the stadium entrances. An hour into the game, they collect all trash and recycling from both the stadium and the tailgaters, then empty the recycling into recycling trucks.
“It’s a massive production,“ Myers said.
She stressed the importance of sustainability to UT.
“We (hold) the Guinness Book of World Records. … We made it a competition two years in a row, and we have beaten their pants off two years in a row,” Myers said.
Connecting with fans and integrating their game day experience with recycling and sustainability is a clear objective. Volunteers try to make a positive impact and engage with those entering or leaving Neyland Stadium. Having conversations with tailgaters about what is and is not recyclable material is a pointed focus.
Volunteer numbers for Zero Waste Game Day vary, often depending on what game it is and what time of day it is being held. Anyone can volunteer, not just students, but often students will choose to fulfill volunteer hour requirements through initiatives like this one.
The Office of Sustainability is actively looking to grow its effects within the UT community. One of its current focuses is the reduction of emissions on campus by making the school more bike-friendly and cutting down on parking.
“The university is doing everything it can to discourage people from driving to campus,” Myers said. “They are … consistently taking away parking garages to try to force people to ride bikes instead of … driving their cars.”
Students are also concerned about sustainability in the college world. Being environmentally friendly in a realistic way is crucial, according to Audrey Nash, a freshman studying sustainability with a concentration in public policy.
“As a university, it’s got some really good initiatives in place,” Nash said. “I just think people don’t know about it.”
Nash also pointed out that many schools do not have a sustainability department in the first place. Simply letting students be involved and voice their ideas on these topics is a positive step for the school. For example, students can receive money for projects related to sustainability through Green Fee dollars. A written proposal is needed.
Zero Waste Game Day is just a small part of UT’s efforts toward sustainability. Multiple functions and volunteer opportunities are offered in an attempt to make the school more environmentally friendly. The Green Fee, Grow Lab, Free Store and Food4Vols are all programs UT opens to its students.
“It feeds your soul,” Myers said, extending a warm welcome to students interested in becoming involved with UT’s sustainability efforts.
Students are encouraged to visit the Office of Sustainability’s website for updated opportunities, whether that’s through Smokey’s Cleanup Crew or simply volunteering at the Free Store for a day. Earth Month activities will also be integrated into the schedule in April.
