4 MIN READ
2-25-2025
The Hidden Plastic Footprint of Professional Sports
Alex Schulze , CEO/Co-Founder
The Hidden Plastic Footprint of Professional Sports
For many years, professional sports have served as a source of amusement, uniting people in a celebration of athletic ability and rivalry. However, the sports business has a hidden environmental cost—its plastic footprint—beyond the flashy stadium lights and high-performance action. Professional sporting events, venues, and merchandise—from plastic water bottles to synthetic turf—contribute greatly to the world's plastic waste problem. The sports business is coming under increasing pressure to lessen its environmental impact as sustainability gains global attention. The hidden plastic footprint of professional sports is examined in this article along with the initiatives being taken to mitigate it.
The Scope of Plastic Use in
Professional sports make substantial use of plastic in a variety of ways. Plastic packaging, which is common at sporting events and includes single-use water bottles, food packing, and promotional items, is one of the most obvious offenders. For instance, every game at large stadiums and arenas uses thousands of plastic cups, bottles, and wrappers, of which relatively little is recycled. A 2020 analysis by the environmental group Oceana estimates that 60 million plastic bottles are used daily by Americans alone, many of which are connected to the drinking of beverages at public gatherings, such as sporting events.
The infrastructure and gear that sportsmen utilize is another important source of plastic in professional sports. Plastic or synthetic materials are frequently seen in safety pads, mouthguards, helmets, and cleats. Furthermore, playing fields in a lot of sports leagues are made of plastic turf. Synthetic turf has become a norm in stadiums and training facilities all over the world. It is often produced from a mixture of plastic fibers like nylon and polyethylene. These synthetic surfaces are long-lasting and low-maintenance, but as they deteriorate over time, they add to the microplastic pollution problem.
The Environmental Impact of Plastic in Sports
Plastic has a major negative influence on the environment in the sports sector. First, plastics contribute to climate change and greenhouse gas emissions since they are made from fossil fuels. Plastic garbage frequently ends up in landfills after being abandoned, where it may take generations for it to break down. Plastic frequently cannot be recycled, even when disposed of correctly, especially if it is contaminated with food waste or mixed with other materials.
Additionally, there are long-term disposal issues with plastic-based equipment and synthetic turf. Turf fields release tiny plastic fibers when they break down, and these fibers end up in water systems and storm drains. These microplastics endanger ecosystems and marine life by building up in rivers and seas. Researchers discovered in 2021 that up to 50% of the microplastic pollution in certain metropolitan streams was caused by synthetic turf fields.
Efforts to Address Plastic Waste in Professional Sports
Some professional sports leagues and organizations have started taking steps to lessen their plastic footprint after realizing the negative effects plastic trash has on the environment. Growing consumer awareness and the desire for sustainability in sports are the main forces behind these projects.
1. Mitigating Single-Use Plastics: A lot of athletic organizations and venues are attempting to cut back on single-use plastics. Reusable water stations or compostable straws have replaced plastic bottles and straws at major stadiums, including as Levi's Stadium in California, home of the San Francisco 49ers. Fan engagement initiatives that promote the usage of reusable cups and bottles also aid in this endeavor.
2. Sustainable products: A lot of sports leagues are making an effort to create more environmentally friendly products. For instance, Adidas and Parley for the Oceans have teamed up to produce soccer shirts using recovered ocean plastic. Similar to this, a lot of teams are using eco-friendly materials for their merchandise, such as recycled plastics, organic cotton apparel, and biodegradable packaging.
3. Sustainable Stadium Design: Sustainability is being considered in the design of several new stadiums and arenas. With features like solar panels and a rainwater harvesting system, the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, which is home to the Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United, is among the greenest stadiums in the world. In an effort to lessen the quantity of trash dumped in landfills, the stadium also offers plastic recycling kiosks to its patrons.
4. Sustainable Turf and Equipment: Some sports leagues are reevaluating their use of synthetic turf, with an increasing emphasis on more environmentally friendly substitutes. Some stadiums are choosing to use natural grass or artificial turf made of recycled materials that can be recycled when their useful lives are over. In order to lessen the environmental impact of production and disposal, the sporting goods industry is also investigating biodegradable plastics and more environmentally friendly materials for gear and uniforms.
Challenges and Barriers
Even while these initiatives show promise, the sports sector still has a number of obstacles to overcome in order to lessen its plastic footprint. The high price of sustainable alternatives is one of the main obstacles. Because eco-friendly alternatives, including recycled materials or compostable packaging, are frequently more costly than conventional plastic, some businesses may find it challenging to make the switch on a broad basis.
The enormous amount of plastic waste produced by major events presents another difficulty. Tens of thousands of people attend major athletic events like the Olympics or the Super Bowl, and they all need food, beverages, and goods. Waste management in these busy settings involves complicated logistics, and making ensuring that waste is appropriately sorted, repurposed, or composted frequently requires a lot of work.
The Future of Sustainability in Sports
The movement toward sustainability in professional sports is expanding in spite of the obstacles. Sports organizations are seeing sustainability as a crucial component of their operations as fan demand for environmentally friendly practices keeps growing. To build a more sustainable future for professional sports, industry leaders are urging fans, environmental organizations, and sports leagues to work together more broadly.
Because it affects millions of people worldwide, the sports sector also has the capacity to be a significant catalyst for change. Sports organizations have the potential to significantly contribute to the global drive toward a more sustainable future by encouraging sustainable practices and increasing public awareness of environmental challenges.
Conclusion
Professional sports have a considerable hidden plastic footprint, but it is not insurmountable. The industry is starting to take action to lessen its environmental impact, from cutting back on single-use plastics to adopting sustainable materials and encouraging eco-friendly fan behavior. The sports business has the opportunity to set a good example, spurring positive change in other industries and significantly advancing international efforts to reduce plastic pollution as sustainability becomes a key concern for both organizations and spectators.
Sources:
1. Oceana, “The Plastic Pollution Crisis: How Plastic Affects Our Oceans,” Oceana, 2020.
2. Sports Illustrated, “Sustainability in Sports: How the Industry is Going Green,” Sports Illustrated, 2022.
3. Adidas, “Adidas x Parley: Recycled Ocean Plastics in Sports Apparel,” Adidas, 2021.
4. Green Sports Alliance, “Reducing Plastic Waste in Sports,” Green Sports Alliance, 2023.