Grand Valley State University
IN-4: Green Athletics

A campus-wide group works to support sustainable sporting events at GVSU. Staff from athletics, campus dining, facilities services and sustainability work together to organize sustainable sporting events. Student volunteers and sustainability ambassadors help to engage and educate fans about zero waste efforts, transportation options, and other sustainability efforts at the games. GVSU strives for zero waste at all home football games. Athletics assists by announcing efforts over the loudspeaker and posting info on the scoreboard and campus dining assists by providing compostable products. Facilities services provides and staffs sorting stations and helps support volunteers and fans alike. Student volunteers are trained by facilities services and the Office of Sustainability Practices staff to provide outreach and education to visitors. They stand physically at the sorting stations and help fans to make the right choice when disposing products. They also work with facilities services to collect, sort, and weigh the bags so a diversion rate can be calculated. GVSU was the first public university in Michigan to be certified by Michigan Turfgrass Environmental Stewardship Program (https://www.gvsu.edu/gvnow/2011/gvsu-first-public-university-in-state-to-receive-5559.htm). It also has LEED certified athletic buildings (the Kelly Sports Building and the Rec Center are LEED gold). GVSU also offers a bike valet and bus service to encourage sustainable transportation to games.