COLUMBIA, Mo. - Mizzou Athletics' commitment to sustainability was certainly apparent to Mizzou Football fans entering Memorial Stadium for the season-opening game vs. South Dakota State on Aug. 30. Blue recycling containers, in more wide-spread locations surrounding the stadium and on its concourses, were situated for easy use throughout the Tigers' 38-18 victory over the Jackrabbits.
And used they were. Mizzou recycled 4.348 tons of material following the game weekend, which is the fourth-highest total ever record by Mizzou, since the department began tracking recycling figures in 2005. It was additionally the best season-opening total and well above Mizzou's average recycling load of 1.7 tons per game from last season.
Fans also pitched in from the tailgate lots. Focus has been added toward distributing blue recycling bags to Tiger tailgaters, which can be filled and left behind for pick-up following games.
That 4.348-ton total only trails diverted waste loads from Mizzou's home games vs. Nebraska in 2007, Oklahoma in 2010 and Georgia in 2012.
Mizzou Athletics is aided in its work towards greater sustainability at its events by implementing programs built by the University of Missouri's Campus Sustainability Office and Sustain Mizzou, a student organization.
Mizzou Athletics would like to remind fans to consider taking efforts towards sustainability while tailgating for and attending Mizzou Football games. Head coach Gary Pinkel's squad is back in action at home vs. UCF on Saturday, Sept. 13, in the first-ever SEC Network broadcast (11 a.m.) from Faurot Field.