The Wolfpack diverted nearly 30 percent of gameday waste from the landfill in a record-setting season for the Zero Waste Wolfpack composting and recycling program.
In its fifth year, Zero Waste Wolfpack continued its waste reduction trend, sending to landfill nearly 30,000 fewer pounds of waste than in the previous season.
The Zero Waste Wolfpack program engages fans and volunteers in recycling, composting and reuse efforts in Carter-Finley Stadium, as well as recycling collection in the tailgating lots. The program is a partnership of Waste Industries, Coca-Cola, NC State Athletics, Wolfpack Sports Properties and NC State Waste Reduction and Recycling.
During the 2019 football season, 279 volunteers engaged thousands of fans in diverting nearly 75,000 pounds of recyclables and more than 21,000 pounds of compostables over the course of seven home games.
“Our goals include diverting waste from the landfill on gameday, but also helping fans see they can do this at home as well. Zero Waste Wolfpack allows NC State to showcase its commitment to sustainability on our campus and for the community,” said Milannee St. Hill, Waste Reduction and Recycling’s outreach coordinator.
The success of Zero Waste Wolfpack at football games has led to its expansion at home soccer matches, as well as single athletic events for basketball, track and field, swimming and diving, and golf.
Zero Waste Wolfpack is also now an award-winning program, having received recent honors from the City of Raleigh, Carolina Recycling Association and the Green Sports Alliance.