When the NFL’s New York Jets and New York Giants kickoff their 2010
seasons, they won’t just have a new stadium to call home, they’ll be
playing in one of the greenest venues in sports.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the New Meadowlands
Stadium Company, the stadium’s principal owner, Monday signed a
memorandum of understanding that outlines plans to incorporate
environmentally-friendly materials and practices into the construction
and operation of New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.
"This ambitious, comprehensive plan set forth by the two team
ownership groups is a blueprint for new sports venues everywhere," EPA
Acting Regional Administrator George Pavlou said.
The agreement details myriad strategies to reduce air pollution,
conserve water and energy, improve waste management, and reduce the
environmental impact of construction. Goals of the agreement include
cutting the stadium’s annual water use by 25%, making it 30% more
energy efficient than Giants Stadium, increasing total recycling by 25%
and recycling 75% of construction waste.
Highlights of the goals established under the agreement include:
- Using some 40,000 tons of recycled steel to build the
stadium and recycling 20,000 tons of steel when Giants Stadium is
demolished - Installing seating made partially from recycled plastic and scrap iron
- Building the stadium on a parcel of rehabilitated land, a former brownfield
- Reducing
air pollution from construction vehicles by using cleaner diesel fuel,
diesel engine filters, and shortening how long engines idle - Using environmentally-friendly concrete in construction
- Reducing water consumption and increasing energy efficiency
- Providing mass transit options for fans
- Replacing traditional concession plates, cups and carries with compostable alternatives.
John Mara, co-owner of the New York Giants, said, "We soon realized
that going green is good business as well. We learned, and what we hope
others will take from our experience and example, is that technology
and knowhow exist to build and run stadiums and other large projects
with far less impact on our air, water and other resources than just a
few short years ago.
The New Meadowlands Stadium Company will report the progress on its
goals to EPA every six months. Based on the reports, EPA will quantify
the benefits of the venue’s environmental efforts. EPA has similar
agreements in place with the New York Mets for the team’s new Citi
Field stadium, the Destiny USA mall project in Syracuse, N.Y., the real
estate firm Cushman & Wakefield, and several universities in New
Jersey and New York.
Loading...