BOSTON - On April 22 (Earth Day 2023), the Department of Athletics and BU Sustainability collaborated in Boston University's first-ever Zero Waste event at an Athletics contest. The initiative took place around the annual Lax-A-Palooza on Nickerson Field. The more than 1,200 fans who gathered to support the lacrosse teams enjoyed complimentary food and beverages, while achieving a 75-percent diversion rate – preventing three-quarters of the materials used and consumed at the game from going to landfills and incinerators.

To make this Zero Waste game possible, Athletics worked with Sustainability to get Zero Waste-friendly food and beverage packaging, utilizing reusable bottles for soft beverages, increasing access to recycling and adding food waste bins for patrons to use, and having a team of "Waste Watchers," BU Sustainability student interns to support our fans in disposing of their waste correctly. 

Lax-A-Palooza was one of the first collegiate sporting events in Boston to collaborate with Sustainability on a Zero Waste event. In accordance with Sustainability's Zero Waste rating system, the Earth Day event earned 17 points and achieved Gold Level status.

"Achieving Zero Waste is not something we can do on our own; BU community members are absolutely part of the solution here," said Lisa Tornatore, BU's sustainability director. "Collaborating with Athletics is a way for us to connect with a segment of our community, educate folks about sorting waste into the right bins, and the importance of waste reduction at athletic events."

This event is part of BU Sustainability's broader Zero Waste Plan, an effort to make Boston University Zero Waste by 2030. Zero Waste programming at BU focuses on the conservation of all resources by means of responsible production, consumption, reuse and recovery of products, packaging, and materials without burning and with no discharges to land, water, or air that threaten the environment or human health (Zero Waste International Alliance). 

Guided by the University's mission, Strategic Plan and Climate Action Plan, Sustainability supports the transformation of Boston University's planning, operations, and culture toward a sustainable and equitable future. For more information on BU Sustainability and how to get involved, visit www.bu.edu/sustainabilty.