News article
St. Louis City SC’s ‘Our City’ initiative outlines green plans
North American Major League Soccer (MLS) newcomer St. Louis City SC has outlined a number of sustainability initiatives that will mean its home, the newly built CityPark stadium, will be a zero-waste venue.
All waste generated at the stadium will either be reduced, reused, recycled or composted. Franchise commitments include eliminating single-use consumer plastics, recycling and composting, comprehensive energy efficiency and water conservation initiatives.
The club will also team up with food donation programmes, having been working on its sustainability plans for three years ahead of its inaugural MLS season in 2023. The ‘Our City’ sustainability programme will also work with suppliers, partners, fans and staff to reduce landfill waste, conserve resources and analyse key sustainability operating metrics.
Carolyn Kindle, president and chief executive of St. Louis City SC, said: “We want CityPark to be an inspiration to our community, of how it is possible to embrace waste reduction and conservation practices in our work and homes.
“St. Louis is a region of rivers and agricultural innovation. We have a great opportunity to remind our partners, fans, and neighbours that our future is our responsibility.”
The franchise and its commercial and non-profit partners such as stadium concessionaire Levy Restaurants and operations partner ASM Global are working with vendors and local restaurant partners to reduce single-use consumer plastic waste and utilise reusable aluminium containers.
"We want CityPark to be an inspiration to our community, of how it is possible to embrace waste reduction and conservation practices in our work and homes."
Beverage partner PepsiCo and official beer partner Anheuser-Busch are also helping to reduce plastic waste by serving beer and non-alcoholic drinks in recyclable cans and cups.
Additionally, Levy will work with Operation Food Search, a local non-profit organisation that will recover prepared but uneaten food from restaurant partners for food bank distribution centres.
Operation Food Search president and CEO Kristen Wild said: “We are thrilled to work with St. Louis City SC to reduce food waste and further address food insecurity in the region. We estimate that this partnership will allow us to divert 3,000 pounds per year of food from landfills to families’ tables, thanks to the commitment of City SC, their restaurant partners, and their fans.”
Other features of the ‘Our City’ programme include reducing water resources; utilising renewable energy sources; operating energy-efficient mechanical and electrical equipment; identifying more sustainable janitorial and landscape practices; and encouraging more environmentally friendly forms of travel.
Image: St.Louis City SC