(Photo: Members of The Texas Ranger's 'Green Team')

May 25, 2012       

The Texas Rangers want to make recycling as American as baseball and apple pie. 

That’s why they created the Green Team, in partnership with Republic Services, the park’s recycling company, to encourage recycling at the park.

For a decade, the stadium has placed recycling bins near trash cans for fan use. Starting this season, stadium staff designated as Green Team members go the extra step by trekking down aisles during the seventh inning to collect bottles, paper and cans. The staff also collects recyclables at the end of the game.

The Green Team first appeared during the Rangers’ World Series runs as part of a Major League Baseball initiative. This year, management decided to make it a year-round feature.

“There’s a trend throughout the country to make recycling opportunities available,” said Rob Matwick, executive vice president of operations at the Rangers Ballpark. “We want to not only remind people to
recycle at the ballpark but to recycle at home.”

Matwick said the stadium has initiated many other green practices. Groundskeepers mulch the grounds with grass clippings, tree trimmings and broken pallets. In the kitchen, cooking oil and plastic containers are recycled. Elsewhere, motor oil from vehicles, carpet from remodeling, scrap metal, cardboard and e-waste are all recycled. Rubber tires are sent to shredders. In addition, low-flow irrigation heads are used on the field and surrounding complex. 

Last year, the park recycled about 400 tons of material. However, Matwick says cost savings is not the only reason for the efforts.

“The bigger issue is that is helps the environment,” said Matwick. 

Here’s how other local entertainment venues have gone green:

Cowboys Stadium, Arlington

The NFL stadium, home to the Dallas Cowboys since 2010, was built with green design in mind. 

The facility, which also hosts high school and college football games, soccer
matches, concerts and 500 private events a year, features a state-of-the-art bio-composting reactor, which “digests” disposed food with enzymes to reduce solid waste. 

For energy efficiency, reflective coating on the roof reflects the Texas heat. In addition, the retractable roof offers natural lighting and fresh air for events in the spring and fall. Glass panes on end-zone doors and roof reduce the need for artificial lighting year-round. Meanwhile, a parking surface with permeable layers improves water drainage.

Cowboys spokesperson Brett Daniels said management also has a goal to reduce energy usage by 10 to 15 percent annually going forward. 

“Now that we’ve been in operation, we’re looking at ways we can improve energy efficiency,” said Daniels.

Six Flags Over Texas, Arlington

Since 2006, visitors have been able to recycle paper, plastic and aluminum via bins located all over the park. In addition, restrooms at all of its parks have been fitted with electric hand dryers rather than paper towel dispensers, saving 1,400 trees annually.

NRH20, North Richland Hills

Since 2006, the water park has offered recycling for visitors. In addition, they are currently swtiching to more energy efficient lighting.

“We are in the process of switching out over 150 lights to LED to save energy costs,” said Stephanie Hee, NRH20 spokeswoman. 

Pool lighting is also being switched to LED. 

Crowne Plaza Invitational, Colonial Country Club, Fort Worth

The PGA golf tournament venue has taken steps to go green by offering recycling for guests and donating leftover food to charity. Visitors are also encouraged to use the Trinity Trails to ride bicycles to the event instead of driving. During the tournament that kicks off this week, a bike parking tent will be set up on the trails near Rogers Road and Colonial Parkway. For every bike check in, the tournament will donate $10 to Streams and Valleys, the Fort Worth-based nonprofit that promotes and supports the Trinity Trails.

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