For the fifth time@@http://www.registerguard.com/web/sports/27476359-41/trials-field-track-eugene-olympic.html.csp@@ in Hayward Field’s history, the U.S. Olympic Team Trials will be hosted at the University this summer@@http://www.goducks.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=500&ATCLID=22187@@. The world-renowned event will begin June 22 and run through July 1 at the historic stadium.
Local recycling and garbage collection company Sanipac@@http://www.sanipac.com/@@ will be managing waste and recycling at the event. Sanipac is putting an emphasis on minimizing waste, according to Accounts Manager Aaron Donley.@@http://www.kmtr.com/news/local/story/A-snow-day-for-Sanipac-trash-pickup-delayed/-iFgKCVpSUmE-W4Ydsx1Sw.cspx@@
Sanipac will combine resources with food vendors, the organizing committee “TrackTown12” and volunteers to eliminate excess waste.@@http://tracktown12.gotracktownusa.com/@@
TrackTown12 public relations committee member Marilyn Milne@@http://tinyurl.com/c5stl2p@@ stated in a press release, that “TrackTown12 food vendors will use 100 percent compostable serviceware; multiple on-site, zero-waste stations will enable fans and athletes to compost and recycle; and a team of Northwest Youth Corps@@http://www.nwyouthcorps.org/@@ members, TrackTown12 volunteers and Sanipac staff will ensure a smooth flow of waste materials to a centralized receiving station for composting and recycling.”
“All foods served by on-site vendors will be 100 percent compostable as well,” Donley said.
TrackTown12’s goal for 2012 is to divert 75 percent of waste to recycling or compost as opposed to a landfill. In 2008, they attained a 68-percent diversion rate.
Hayward Field received national and international recognition for their eco-minded efforts in 2008. “The Eugene 2008 Trials received the first-ever International Olympic Committee Award for Sport and the Environment for North America,” Milne said.@@http://www.olympic.org/environment/ioc-announces-winners-of-sport-and-environment-award@@
While the 2008 Trials were deemed a success, Ethan Nelson of the City of Eugene Waste Prevention and Green Building program@@http://www.eugene-or.gov/portal/server.pt?space=CommunityPage&control=SetCommunity&CommunityID=232&PageID=302@@ believes this year’s rendition of the Olympic precursor can be improved upon.
“The standard was set in 2008. A lot of time and energy from the community went into making the event sustainable,” Nelson said. “We learned a lot last time and want to build on areas that weren’t addressed in 2008.”
TrackTown12 has chosen energy as one of these areas. “The event will be purchasing 100 percent green energy from EWEB,” Nelson said.
Alternative transit options for spectators will be offered as well. In 2008, 400 bike valet slots were available. Nelson said this year there will be 575 bike and skateboard valet spots open to the public.
Nelson said the one of the goals of the sustainability efforts is to create a model for other organizations to follow in order to create eco-friendly events and venues.
At the conclusion of the trials, a final sustainability report will be published to broadcast the results of the ecological efforts.