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MLS WORKS, Major League Soccer’s social responsibility platform, today kicked off its 6th Annual Greener Goals Week of Service which highlights the League’s commitment to environmental sustainability, including efforts around waste reduction. Earth Day matches on April 22-23 will raise awareness surrounding sustainability and highlight how our MLS soccer community is addressing environmental impact.
As part of Greener Goals Week of Service, MLS and its clubs will join forces with adidas to promote ocean plastic waste recovery. In partnership with nonprofit Parley for the Oceans, MLS and adidas are developing an immersive educational experience dedicated to the understanding of marine environments and the co-creation of plastic waste solutions called the Parley Ocean School. More details will be shared at a later date.
To underscore the League’s commitment to raising awareness about ocean plastic waste and eliminating CO2-emitting plastics production, MLS players will be sporting adidas One Planet jerseys during Earth Day weekend. The jerseys are made with Parley recycled ocean plastic and will be available at MLSstore.com and select club retail locations starting April 18th at 11 a.m. ET.
MLS continues to explore opportunities to reduce non-renewable energy use, as well as measure and help to offset a portion of emissions associated with League and club travel including airfare, accommodations and ground transportation for the regular MLS season, Audi MLS Cup Playoffs, and Audi MLS Cup.
Throughout the season, MLS clubs are also partnering with local food organizations to distribute unused food following matches at their stadiums. Wit the intention of reducing waste and helping address food insecurity in their region, MLS venues will collectively divert more than 55 tons of food to local food donation programs while avoiding approximately 208 tons of greenhouse gas emissions, which is equivalent to approximately 330 cross continent air flights from San Jose to Montreal.
Below is a sampling of the ways clubs are reducing stadium waste.
- Austin FC: In partnership with Texas Disposal Systems, Austin FC is helping fans divert waste with more than 70 strategically placed Ecostations located throughout the stadium. These Ecostations allow Q2 Stadium to collect materials both for composting and recycling.
- Orlando City SC: The club installed an onsite recycling system at Exploria Stadium and diverted 5.08 tons of cardboard, .60 tons of aluminum, 1.67 tons of plastic, and 1.37 tons of food waste since January.
- Philadelphia Union: Subaru Park has achieved the nationally recognized zero landfill status, meaning that over 90% of waste generated at the stadium will either be reduced, reused or recycled. As of March 31, 2023, Subaru Park will have diverted approximately 920,356 pounds of waste from local landfills.
- St. Louis CITY SC: St. Louis CITY’s CITYPARK opened its inaugural season committed to being a zero-waste stadium. CITYPARK has over 200 waste receptables that accept compostable, recyclable and landfill materials, with on-site composting and recycling collection. All food service containers, flatware, and paper products are compostable, and all beverages are served in aluminum bottles, cans, or signature cups. In partnership with Operation Food Search, CITYPARK will divert more than 3,000 pounds of food to local food banks after matches and events. Fans can join the Our CITY sustainability pledge at stlcitysc.com/OurCITY and receive a custom app badge.
This announcement arrives during a period of tremendous momentum behind the sport of soccer in North America, as Major League Soccer’s 28th season is underway, the highly anticipated 2023 Leagues Cup will take place from July 21 to August 19, and as the 2026 World Cup hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico approaches.
