Teaming Up for the Environment
Statement of Sustainability
The Tampa Bay Rays believe in an ongoing commitment to sustainability within our own business operations, including practices that promote energy and water conservation, as well as reducing, reusing and recycling waste. We strive to make a positive impact on our environmental footprint, and coupled with educational programs and awareness initiatives, we aim to serve as a community role model for environmentally responsible practices. We aspire to become a community leader in environmental stewardship.
Because of these core corporate values, in 2008, we launched “Teaming Up for the Environment” to promote sustainability within both our organization and our community. There are three major components of this program, (1) the Rays’ internal practices, (2) increasing internal and external advocacy and awareness, and (3) increasing environmental partnerships.
Internally we have shifted to non-toxic, recycled, and remanufactured supplies across the board, as well as reducing, re-using, and recycling the waste that we do create. We strive to minimize both energy and water usage by employees as well as institute the practice of sustainability as a corporate value. For example, our new spring training facility highlights our continual attempt for innovative sustainability by showcasing a 1,600 square foot educational green roof as well as sophisticated storm water management practices.
As part of the partnership component, in 2009 and 2010 the Rays highlighted and provided financial support for over 10 local nonprofit partners with the goal of promoting environmental education programs.
In 2011, the Rays partnered with USGBC Florida Gulf Coast Chapter to act as a catalyst for investment in a green schools project with a dynamic school partner who has a commitment to environmental education. The Rays contributed $10,000, in addition to full-time staff volunteer hours, to the Pasco County Education Foundation for a project with James Marlowe Elementary, to create their green classroom.
In 2012, our goal was to educate our fans; we did this by celebrating Earth Day Weekend in the ball park. We had a three day campaign focused on our messaging and current partners. We also launched our new initiative, “Break a Bat, Plant a Ball.” The concept is that for the first broken bat of each game, to will plant an Oyster Ball (dome) with Tampa Bay Watch. These balls are placed in areas that are currently eroding or have been dredged. Tampa Bay Watch is the bay area leader in this program.
Recycling totals from 2009-2012
- Plastic/Aluminum- 81.75
- Cardboard-143.16
- Paper-61.67
- Light bulbs-1.85
Total recycled- 288.43
*In tons
Energy reduction
The Stadium Managers Association have created an annual Energy Bowl Competition among MLB teams. Together, the 30 teams have reduced their annual energy use by almost 50 million kBtu, enough energy to light 7,500 homes for a year. The Tampa Bay Rays won the top prize for 2011 by cutting stadium energy use during the year, largely by operating heating and cooling systems more efficiently. Reduced was electrical energy consumption by 4.7% and natural gas usage by 15.3%.
The change from 2011-2012 for electric is down 7% year to date and natural gas is up 3%.
So for the two year change from 2010-2012 we have reduced electricity by 11.6% and natural gas by 10.5%.