The Ohio State University
IN-4: Green Athletics

At The Ohio State University, all football games held in the Ohio Stadium are Zero Waste Events, meaning 90% or more of the waste is diverted from the landfill by recycling, re-purposing and composting. In addition to this, the Jerome Schottenstein Center is a LEED certified building that is also capable of holding Zero Waste Events. The university uses these programs to educate and engage students and the community, and offers a Zero Waste service so organizations and community members can make their event Zero Waste. Ohio State athletic teams are certified under the NCAA.

Events – Department of Athletics coordinates
In 2016 The Ohio State University Department of Athletics hired a Sustainability Coordinator, this position reports directly to Athletics and is responsible for aligning the department with the Ohio State Sustainability Goals set by the President and Provost’s Council on Sustainability. Sustainability has been integrated into the Athletics and Business Advancement Strategic Plan, found here:
https://ohiostatebuckeyes.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Strategic-Plan-Final.pdf

With several specific initiatives highlighted here: https://ohiostatebuckeyes.com/sustainability/

Events – zero waste practices have been tested at Football, Men’s Basketball, Women’s Basketball, Synchronized Swimming, Men’s Fencing, Women’s Fencing, Men’s Gymnastics, and Women’s Gymnastics. As a partner for the 2018 Women’s Basketball Final Four, held at Nationwide Arena in downtown Columbus, OH, Ohio State Athletics oversaw application for and achievement of the Council for Responsible Sport Evergreen level certification.

Certifications – Jerome Schottenstein Center Basketball Practice Facility and the Jerome Schottenstein Center Ticket and Team Office renovation are LEED Silver certified, The Schumaker is pending LEED Gold certification, the Covelli Center Jennings Family Wrestling Practice Facility & is pending LEED Gold certification.

Sustainable Food – Reference attached Power Point from Levy Restaurants. The Golf Club and Fuel Zones are working towards aligning with the goal of purchasing 40% of food from local and/or sustainable sources by 2025.

Potable Water – The Ohio State University Golf Club irrigates both courses through an onsite pump house pulling from groundwater, remaining facilities use potable water for turf irrigation. https://oee.osu.edu/ohio-state-university-golf-courses-score-hole-in-one-for-sustainability.html

Transportation – EV charging, bicycle parking, COTA & CABS bus stops, and rideshare are all available for Ohio State Athletics events in addition to standard vehicle parking. https://ohiostatebuckeyes.com/sustainability/fan-guide/ Yay Bikes provides complimentary bicycle valet service during home Ohio State football games https://www.yaybikes.com/yay-valet

Community Engagement - https://ohiostatebuckeyes.com/community/
Public information about sustainability initiatives can be found at:
https://ohiostatebuckeyes.com/sustainability/

Zero Waste events include message to the public using the following methods as available: PA, scoreboard, game programs, social media, and Zero Waste Team in-game fan engagement.