The news out of Boston about the Red Sox isn't just about their performance on the field.

Why?

Because they recently announced a major initiative to green Fenway Park, and it involves a lot more than the usual pledge to offset carbon emissions.

According to a press release, the the Red Sox are working with the NRDC to implement a number of programs by the parks 100th anniversary in 2012. The Red Sox are partnering with KeySpan, now a part of National Grid; Waste Management; and ARAMARK.

With the assistance of KeySpan, a solar panel installation project is being considered to conserve energy.  Solar panels on the roof of Fenway Park’s fifth level could provide a pollution-free source of energy designed to heat various areas of the ballpark.

With the help of Waste Management, the Red Sox will also create a more robust recycling program.  Staff will collect recyclable items from fans during the game, and Waste Management will install new receptacles for recyclable items.

 

(The club’s current recycling program has resulted in the gathering of ten tons of cardboard in 2007 to save 170 mature trees, 4,600 gallons of oil, 70,000 gallons of water, and 41,000 kilowatt hours of electricity.)

ARAMARK, the concessionaire at Fenway Park, will be doing its part by making available more environmentally-friendly food products, including locally-grown organic produce, throughout the ballpark’s concession services.

The Red Sox will also be installing more energy efficient equipment and lighting and will continue to use safe chemicals for field and park maintenance.

Allen Hershkowitz, Senior Scientist at the NRDC and coordinator of the organization's greening initiatives, offered his perspective on the Red Sox announcement:

The tangible and important ecological steps that the Red Sox and their team sponsors are advancing will have a lasting impact. By committing to the greening of this historic building, the Red Sox organization is showing leadership that reaches far beyond the game of baseball. The Red Sox are demonstrating that every organization can make a difference by joining in our collective efforts to combat global warming, bio-diversity loss, and other ecological ills.

Larry Lucchino, President/CEO of the Red Sox added:

As a professional sports franchise, we have the opportunity to reach millions. As so many are doing in Red Sox Nation and around the world, we will continue to increase our efforts to protect the environment in a cost-competitive way.

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