Today, on Green Sports Day, Green Business Certification Inc. announced Austin FC’s home venue Q2 Stadium as the first soccer-specific stadium and second sports venue in the world to earn Total Resource Use and Efficiency (TRUE) pre-certification. The pre-certification recognizes projects implementing the fundamental actions and policies needed to effectively pursue zero waste.
“Sustainability was an integral part of Q2 Stadium’s design and it continues to be a top priority as we strive to make the venue a home that Austinites can enjoy for years to come,” said Austin FC President Andy Loughnane. “It’s an honor to receive this recognition for the stadium’s commitment to achieving zero waste.”
Since the opening of Q2 Stadium, staff has made a concerted effort to provide compostable packaging and flatware at all concession areas. Through the Club’s first two-and-a-half seasons, these efforts have seen the successful diversion of 75 percent of all waste generated at Q2 Stadium. Waste at Austin FC matches and other full-stadium events is hand-sorted in order to increase the amount of material collected and diverted from landfills.
Club partners Texas Disposal Systems (TDS) and ABM have helped develop and implement strategies that continue to increase the rate at which waste is diverted at the stadium. TDS launched its own team of volunteer Trash Goalies, who actively engage with fans to ensure proper disposal of waste items, making a significant impact on sustainability efforts at Q2 Stadium. Additionally, credentialed TRUE Advisors from Okapi Environmental Services have played a crucial role in guiding Q2 Stadium through the certification process thus far.
All the stadium’s waste diversion initiatives are part of Austin FC’s Go Verde! Sustainability Platform, presented by YETI. The implementation of YETI Hydration Stations around the stadium concourses has eliminated the use of over 50,000 plastic water bottles during the 2023 season alone.
To learn more about TRUE and its zero waste certification process, click here.
