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MLS W.O.R.K.S. | Greener Goals

MLS W.O.R.K.S. GREENER GOALS will aim to support the environment by undertaking community initiatives in partnership with our clubs and educating the soccer community about the importance of environmental sustainability.

 

MLS WORKS Greener Goals
Continental Tires

KIPP Los Angeles Preparatory School Solar 4R Schools Installation

Committing to educating the next generation of energy users, MLS W.O.R.K.S. and Continental Tire are participating in Bonneville Environmental Foundation's (BEF) Solar 4R Schools program and have rewarded KIPP Los Angeles Preparatory School with a solar panel installation. The event will culminate Greener Goals week and will include members of the 2011 MLS Cup Champion LA Galaxy.

Working in conjunction with BEF and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), MLS W.O.R.K.S. and Continental Tire have combined efforts to help MLS clubs, fans and communities reduce their carbon footprint. Verified carbon offsets were purchased from BEF to offset 319 metric tons of CO2e associated with the estimated fan travel to and from the Home Depot Center for MLS Cup 2011. Renewable Energy Certificats (RECs) purchased from BEF ensured that only green energy was used in association with the Championship Match on November 20th. The RECs purchased for MLS Cup 2011 supported enough renewable energy to power over 10 average U.S. homes for one year. PHOTOS>>

Check back soon for updates on Greener Goals Week 2012- April 14-23.

Greener Goals Week – April 16th-April 23nd, 2011

 

Major League Soccer partnered with the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and Bonneville Environmental Foundation during Greener Goals Week, a League-wide effort focused on increasing environmental awareness, to identify and enact tangible ways to reduce our environmental footprint and help raise awareness throughout the soccer community.

During Greener Goals Week, Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) were purchased from Bonneville Environmental Foundation to offset 100% of the electricity used at MLS stadiums during home matches the week of April 16-23. The clubs’ combined REC purchase (renewable wind energy) represented a carbon dioxide-equivalent reduction value of more than 2,126,600 pounds and supported enough wind energy to power over 137 homes in a year. Additionally, fans attending MLS games during Greener Goals Week received Eco-tip Wallet guides, developed by the NRDC as a tool to better educate fans and to further the ongoing movement toward a more sustainable future. Fans also received flower seed packets courtesy of America the Beautiful Fund.

MLS corporate partner Continental Tire joined forces with MLS W.O.R.K.S. to help raise awareness throughout the 2011 season. Starting in April during Greener Goals week, Continental Tire activated in select markets and encouraged fans to be responsible and environmentally friendly. Reusable bags and eco-friendly car and tire tips were distributed during their on-site activation. Continental Tire and MLS W.O.R.K.S. also conducted a Greener Goals event surrounding Red Bull Arena as part of the 2011 AT&T MLS All-Star Game festivities.

Chivas USA and MLS W.O.R.K.S.

MLS W.O.R.K.S./Chivas USA Community Service Project:

Chivas USA and MLS W.O.R.K.S. will mobilize students, supporters and local partners in a three-part campaign that will feature a recycling contest at three elementary schools, a Chivas USA beach clean-up, and a “green” Chivas USA home game on April 30th. 
  • Recycling Contest - Chivas USA  and MLS W.O.R.K.S. in partnership with Heal the Bay and the City of Los Angeles Bureau of Sanitation challenged students at three Los Angeles area elementary schools to a recycling contest.  Chivas USA players and ChivasFighter participated in a kick-off assembly at each participating school  the week of March 28th and helped educate students on the importance of recycling. They also unveiled new recycling receptacles (provided by the Bureau of Sanitation) that will be permanently installed at each school.  Each school will collect recyclables from April 4th to April 15th and will be judged on the total amount of material collected within that time period. More>>
  • Beach Clean-up- Chivas USA and MLS W.O.R.K.S. will engage players, staff, ChivaGirls, supporter groups, recycling contest participants and local volunteers to participate in a Heal the Bay beach clean-up on Saturday, April 16th, 10am-12pm.  Volunteers will clean-up debris along Torrance Beach in an effort to make the area safe, healthy and clean.  Transportation will be provided to and from the Home Depot Center for community volunteers.
  • In-stadium Activation - Chivas USA and MLS W.O.R.K.S. will educate fans in-stadium on April 30th about the importance of sustainability and the organizations on-going commitment to the environment.
    • Fans can trade-in 3 plastic water bottles for stainless steel water bottles (first 5000 fans)
    • Carbon Offsetting (Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF)):  100% of electricity used during game will be offset by renewable wind energy
    • Distribute 5,000 NRDC eco-tip wallet guides
    • MLSW In-stadium inventory-Fieldboards, PSA, PA announcements, Freekick Ad
    • Video footage of community clean-up during halftime
    • Additional bins in high traffic areas to maximize recycling (Waste Management)
    • Player jersey patches (3 game-worn, autographed jerseys will be raffled-off post-game)
    • ChivaGirls and ChivaFighter will wear green apparel
    • Green coaching and front office staff attire
    • “Green” activation in Chivatown:  Heal the Bay, City of LA Bureau of Sanitation and Aquarium of the Pacific

2011

Chicago Fire

The Fire will launch the “Fire Goes Green” campaign for the second year on April 23rd.  Fire players will be wearing commemorative jerseys with a patch and green lettering to be auctioned off post-game.

Colorado Rapids

The Rapids will host their annual “Play Clean” night at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park on April 22nd.  Commerce City green businesses/vendors will be showcased prior to the game, Republic recycling trucks will be on-site, presenting a halftime recycling challenge to promote habitual recycling and a PSA will be aired that features Rapids players.  Dick’s Sporting Good Park is a founding member of the Rocky Mountain Greener Venues Partnership (RMGVP), focusing on helping entertainment and sports venues improve the sustainability of their facilities.

Columbus Crew

Crew executives, Crew Cat and members of the front office recently lent their support and elbow grease to a neighborhood cleanup in celebration of Earth Month. The Crew contingent joined Mayor Michael B. Coleman and Keep Columbus Beautiful in a litter removal effort with residents of the South Linden neighborhood in Columbus. The Crew is a long-time partner of Keep Columbus Beautiful and the organization’s environmental and beautification efforts. More>>

Houston Dynamo

Through their partnership with jersey sponsor Greenstar Recycling, the Dynamo will be conducting various recycling efforts including in their front offices, training complex (upon opening), and current home, Robertson Stadium. Other efforts will include the club wearing special white jerseys with Greenstar’s purple logo to promote the “purple is the new green” theme (jerseys will be auctioned off to benefit Keep Houston Beautiful), eco-friendly fan giveaways and a halftime ceremony with Houston Mayor Annise Parker and the city’s Sustainability Director, Laura Spanjian to recognize Houston Green Office Challenge members for displaying their environmental leadership. More>>

LA Galaxy

Volunteers from the Los Angeles Galaxy Foundation, The Home Depot Center Charitable Foundation and The Home Depot will build a Reading Garden at Leapwood Avenue Elementary School in Carson the week of April 11th.   Leapwood Elementary won the 2011 Reading Garden Challenge which encouraged schools and students (grades K-5) to focus on Earth Day by reading Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax as part of the NEA’s Lorax project student Earth Day and creating posters based on one of the following environmentally friendly themes: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle, Save a Tree, Don’t Waste Water, and Conserve Energy.

New England Revolution

Waste Management and the Department of Transportation will be activating on the plaza during pre-game on April 23rd. Waste management will be collecting batteries, old cell phones for recycling and giving away eco-friendly items to fans. Department of Transportation will be promoting the NuRide carpooling/natural transportation program.

Portland Timbers

The Timbers will kick off events with in-stadium promotions highlighting their January Stand Together/Friends of Trees tree planting, Timber Joey will make an appearance at an event that will feature 12 different local environmentally-focused vendors/resources for Leatherman’s 400 employees and the Timbers and JELD-WEN will partner with a local youth soccer club to clean-up the area surrounding JELD-WEN Field.  Timbers recycling company, Clean Scapes, will also be on-hand and the youth soccer club will participate in a mini soccer clinic with Scot Thompson, former Timbers player and community ambassador following the clean-up.

San Jose Earthquakes

Earthquakes players, coaches and staff will be participating in two community projects in April.  They will be preparing tree seedlings for tree planting with Our City Forest and building a community garden with Hope Services.  Their April 23rd home game will promote Greener Goals with fan giveaways (reusable bags, discount coupons from sustainable businesses), discounted tickets/parking for fans driving hybrid vehicles and riding transportation and featuring local green businesses in Epicenter (soccer celebration). More>>

Seattle Sounders FC

The Sounders joined the Seattle Seahawks, Seattle Mariners, Seattle Storm, Portland Trail Blazers and Vancouver Canucks to launch the Green Sports Alliance (GSA), a non-profit organization that will lead the effort for professional sports leagues, teams and facilities to reduce their impact on the environment.  These organizations are working closely with the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), the U.S. EPA, Bonneville Environmental Foundation and Portland State University to identify and adopt innovative environmental initiatives and share information about opportunities to measure and reduce impact.  The Sounders are committed to environmental sustainability and plan to improve their recycling programs and install solar panels in Qwest Field in 2011.  More>>

Toronto FC

Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment and approximately 200 employees will be participating in the “20-minute Toronto Makeover”, a community clean-up, on April 15th.  In 2010, 175 MLSE employees participated.

Greening Tips

Brought to you by Natural Resources Defense Council

For more information on how to reduce your environmental footprint,
please visit http://www.greensports.org/mls/.

For more information about saving energy at home, visit www.simplesteps.org.

MLS W.O.R.K.S. GREENER GOALS will help to identify ways to reduce our carbon footprint and raise awareness about environmental issues throughout the soccer community. The greening of our game will encourage MLS clubs, players, partners and fans to create a cleaner, healthier environment.

MLS W.O.R.K.S. has partnered with the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) for all League environmental messaging and consulting for stadium and office operations.

NDRCMLS WORKS Greener Goals

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