Green Game Oct. 3 celebrates Auburn Athletics commitment to sustainability

The San Jose State vs. Auburn football game on Oct. 3 will recognize Auburn Athletics' sustainability initiatives and invite fans to do their part to conserve resources, promote wellbeing and protect the loveliest village on the plains during the Auburn Green Game.

This year Auburn joined the Green Sports Alliance, an international organization of more than 300 professional and collegiate teams, leagues and venues that exists to "promote healthy, sustainable communities where we live and play."

For the Green Game, the Office of Sustainability's Spirit of Sustainability Award winners will receive on-field recognition and pre-game volunteers will be interacting with fans to hand out recycling bags and Green Game buttons.

The game also coincides with the United States Green Building Council, or USGBC, Green Apple Day of Service and the USGBC Auburn Student Chapter will contribute to recycling outreach initiatives with fans before the game.

Auburn Athletics supports and contributes to Auburn University's commitment to sustainability and has undertaken a range of initiatives that benefit the environment, economy, society and individual wellbeing.

Athletics is taking aggressive steps to improve energy efficiency in their facilities, which saves money and reduces air pollution. A new cleaning contract stipulates the use of green cleaning supplies, which are non-toxic, effective and safer for student-athletes, staff and custodians. Athletics is working to improve recycling rates of plastic, aluminum and cardboard, turning what would otherwise be waste into valuable resources. To eliminate waste and keep fans hydrated, Athletics provides free water refill stations in Jordan-Hare. Athletics also has joined with the College of Human Sciences to support the End Child Hunger in Alabama campaign.

Fans can support Auburn Athletics' efforts by making a few simple decisions. Here are five tips toward a greener game day experience:

• Shop locally and purchase fresh foods for your gameday spread.
• Avoid the disposable and pick the reusable to save money and produce less waste. Examples include reusable plates, cups, utensils, and tablecloths.
• Choose plastic and aluminum rather than glass and Styrofoam. Auburn only recycles plastic and aluminum on game day, so pick items that can be recycled.
• Reduce air pollution and save fuel on game day by riding Tiger Transit and carpooling with others.
• Volunteers will distribute recycling bags for tailgaters, as well as the 300+ recycling bins on campus to give your plastic and aluminum a new life.

The Auburn Green Game is sponsored by the Athletics Department, the Waste Reduction and Recycling Department, the Office of Communication and Marketing and the Office of Sustainability.