Super Bowl Sustainability Showdown: Eagles Vs Chiefs

On February 9, fans will rally behind either the Philadelphia Eagles or the Kansas City Chiefs for Super Bowl LIX. Beyond the game, both teams have sustainability programs that are among the most developed in the NFL. From waste diversion and renewable energy to seagrass and bee pollinator boxes, are you Team Go Green or Team Extra Yard for the Environment?

Philadelphia Eagles: Go Green

"Sustainability is no longer confined to just the operational aspect of our organization. It is a key pillar of who we are, what we stand for, and how we operate as a team," says Norman Vossschulte, director of fan experience and sustainability for the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Eagles have had sustainability in mind since 2003, and that has grown into the company wide “Go Green” initiative. Efforts include the use of renewable energy to help power Lincoln Financial field from solar and wind.

Bringing Fans Along On The Journey, Figuratively

Through the Go Green program, the Eagles demonstrate a wide-reaching approach to environmental stewardship, but thought is given on how they share efforts with fans. Vossschulte notes, "we are not necessarily here to educate fans about sustainability. Neither do our fans buy tickets to learn about sustainability. We engage fans by having a little fun with it."

If you’re a stalwart Eagles fan, and visited the male restrooms at Lincoln Financial Field, you might have seen the sign above the urinals that says, “Recycle your beer here, and your plastics outside.”

Bringing Fans Along On The Journey, Physically

Philadelphia’s public transportation authority, SEPTA, has a "Go Green" wrapped bus, sharing sustainability messaging and promoting the benefits of public transportation.

“Go Green extends beyond game days," says Leslie S. Richards, SEPTA General Manager and CEO. “Choosing to ride public transportation over single-occupancy vehicles is one of the most effective ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”

Waste Diversion Behind The Scenes

The Eagles recycling programs include bottle caps and plastic products collection, cycle reverse vending machines, aluminium baling and food waste composting, to achieve a waste diversion rate of over 99%. This means that the vast majority of waste generated during stadium events is redirected away from landfills.

Seagrass To Offset Team Travel

The Eagles work with the Ocean Conservancy’s Blue Playbook to support seagrass and mangrove restoration in Puerto Rico’s Jobos Bay. This compensates for the carbon footprint associated with their team travel, and they were the first U.S. professional sports team to offset 100% of these emissions in this way. Seagrass captures carbon up to 35 times faster than tropical rainforests.

“Eagles fans can be proud that their team is setting the example on this critical, global issue,” says George Leonard, Chief Scientist, Ocean Conservancy.

The Kansas City Chiefs: Extra Yard For The Environment

“It’s not just about reducing landfill waste,” says Jarrod Gravatt, cleaning and recycling supervisor for the Kansas City Chiefs,“it’s about setting a powerful example for Chiefs Kingdom and redefining how we tackle environmental challenges in sports.”

That landfill waste reduction is courtesy of recently installed composting bio-digesters at Arrowhead Stadium. They convert organic waste from stadium concessions into nutrient-rich compost, and are used in the Chiefs orchard and garden beds or donated to Kansas City Community Gardens.

Since the Chiefs launched their Extra Yard for the Environment program in 2013, the team has focused on reducing waste, recycling, energy efficiency, and community engagement.

Connecting with Fans and The Local Community

In Arrowhead Stadium, the Chiefs have “an educational slide that we run on the scoreboards pre-game and half-time,” so fans can see “what our program is but also how they can help out,” says Brandon Hamilton, vice president of stadium operations.

Beyond the stadium, the local community is involved in sustainability efforts through recycling days, tree planting events, and educational programs. One recent project saw more than 40 volunteers build pollinator boxes from recycled materials. These boxes, which support local biodiversity by protecting honey bees, were donated to local nonprofits.

Reducing Food Waste And Surplus Donation

The Chiefs are “very close to being net zero in waste diversion” says Brandon Hamilton. “This year we’ve averaged between 85 and 90%.”

Reducing the amount of food waste to begin with is key. The team works with Aramark to prepare the right amount of food for stadium attendees, using ticket sales, promotions, and tickets scanned to plan. For unavoidable food surplus, donations to local hunger relief agencies, such as Pete’s Garden, can ensure it doesn’t end up in landfill. In 2023, these food donations totalled 3 tons or 5,000 meals to Kansas City area families.

Clean Power and Under-Soil Heating

Arrowhead Stadium is also making strides in energy efficiency and generation. The stadium’s solar arrays generate approximately 29,000 kWh of electricity per year. A more efficient under-soil heating system has replaced 200 electric heaters, ensuring that games can be played in winter, significantly lowering energy consumption and saving thousands of dollars a month.

The Final Score

As the Eagles and Chiefs prepare to battle for the Lombardi Trophy at Super Bowl LIX, their sustainability and community efforts remind us that the impact of sport can extend far beyond the field.

From seagrass restoration to pollinator gardens, zero-waste stadiums and energy-efficient innovations, the teams show that environmental responsibility and football go hand in hand. Whether you’re backing the Eagles or the Chiefs for Super Bowl, this match-up is a win-win for the planet.