Fighting Illini, Fighting Waste 2.0 on March 2

The State Farm Center (SFC) is home to championship-level teams and memorable performances. On Thursday, March 2, at the Illini men’s basketball game against Michigan, fans and student volunteers will attempt to set a new SFC record for recycled bottles and cans at Fighting Illini, Fighting Waste 2.0.

The Fighting Illini, Fighting Waste initiative is a partnership between Coca-Cola; the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics; the Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment; and Facilities & Services. Volunteers collected more than 280 pounds of recyclables at the inaugural event in November, diverting approximately 11 percent of the facility’s total waste stream from the landfill.

Establishing a university-wide zero waste culture is a top sustainability objective of the Illinois Climate Action Plan (iCAP). The iCAP is the university’s strategic plan to meet the Climate Leadership Commitments, including becoming carbon neutral as soon as possible and building resilience to climate change in the local community.

Pursuing waste reduction and awareness initiatives at high-visibility events, such as basketball games, showcases recycling and waste management progress to the entire campus community. More than 50 percent of survey respondents at the first event indicated they were aware of the effort and took part. Over 80 percent said they support expanding future recycling activities on campus.

HOW FANS CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Fans attending the Illinois–Michigan game at the SFC are strongly encouraged to find volunteers in bright green shirts to recycle or eliminate waste by

• disposing of bottles and cans by placing items into recycling stations in the upper concourse. (Volunteers will be present to assist in multiple locations.)
• raising awareness about recycling on campus and at other university events whenever possible.
• filling up and reusing a water bottle during the game to be more environmentally friendly. (As a part of the SFC’s clear bag policy, each individual may bring a clear, empty plastic bottle of up to 32 ounces to the event.)

For more information, contact Zero Waste Coordinator Daphne Hulse dlhulse2@illinois.edu, 217-333-7550.