Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 52.65
Liaison Audrey McSain
Submission Date July 13, 2016
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

Lehigh University
IN-4: Innovation 4

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.00 / 1.00 Katharine Targett Gross
Sustainability Officer
Office of Sustainability
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Title or keywords related to the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome:
Incorporating Environmental Stewardship and Sound Business Practices into Athletic Operations

A brief description of the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome:

Lehigh University Athletics has been actively working to integrate environmental stewardship and sound business practices into Athletic operations by being involved in key sustainability events such as Game Day Challenge in the fall and Game Day Basketball in the spring as well as being a founding member of the Pennsylvania Collegiate Green Sports Consortium for the 2013-2014 academic year.

Lehigh University Athletics, in partnership with the Office of Sustainability, Dining Services, and Facilities Services & Campus Planning, has participated in Game Day Challenge in the fall and Game Day Basketball in the spring for the past three years. The Game Day Challenge and Game Day Basketball are national competitions against other colleges and universities. The purpose of these events is to compare schools based on recycling and waste minimization efforts made during a single home football game and home basketball game. Volunteers at these events collect recyclables and trash, pass out informational fliers to help fans recycle, and engage fans with games and giveaways. Colleges/universities are scored in several different categories. At its most recent Game Day Challenge and Game Day Basketball events, Lehigh had a 35.5% diversion rate and a 40.71% diversion rate respectively.

By participating in these events, Lehigh Athletics is actively working to green its sporting events by educating fans on what is and is not recyclable and by engaging with concessions to make more sustainable purchasing decisions. This not only helps improve the campus environmental footprint, but it also enhances fan behaviors at the game and at home, and boosts Lehigh’s overall sustainability reputation.


A brief description of any positive measurable outcomes associated with the innovation (if not reported above):

Lehigh had a 35.5% diversion rate at Game Day Challenge and a 40.71% diversion rate at Game Day Basketball. This is significantly higher than the standard campus diversion rate of 20-25%.


A letter of affirmation from an individual with relevant expertise:
Which of the following STARS subcategories does the innovation most closely relate to? (Select all that apply up to a maximum of five):
Yes or No
Curriculum ---
Research ---
Campus Engagement Yes
Public Engagement Yes
Air & Climate ---
Buildings ---
Dining Services Yes
Energy ---
Grounds ---
Purchasing Yes
Transportation ---
Waste Yes
Water ---
Coordination, Planning & Governance ---
Diversity & Affordability ---
Health, Wellbeing & Work ---
Investment ---

Other topic(s) that the innovation relates to that are not listed above:
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The website URL where information about the innovation is available:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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