COLUMBUS, Ohio – Nearly 16 tons of recyclable materials were collected in and around Ohio Stadium during the Sept. 6 football home game vs. Ohio. To date, Ohio State's Scarlet, Gray & Green sustainability campaign has totaled almost 150 tons in the span of just 10 home games the last two seasons.

On Sept. 6, the program gathered 13.6 tons of recyclable material inside Ohio Stadium, pushing the total past the 100-ton mark inside the Horseshoe. The same day, almost 2.75 tons of recyclables were collected outside the stadium. The total for the Youngstown State game (Aug. 30) reached more than 13 tons, giving the program a collective amount of almost 30 tons through the pair of games this season.

The program exceeded expectations in its inaugural year in 2007 by amassing 119 tons, including 81 tons inside Ohio Stadium.

While all waste is collected together in Ohio Stadium and sorted, fans have contributed to the success outside the 'Shoe. At each home game, tailgaters receive white plastic bags to encourage collection of bottles, cans, paper and cardboard. Fans are asked to put the bags in the scarlet recycling dumpsters stationed in targeted tailgating areas. Trash dumpsters also are located near the recycling dumpsters for disposal of all other trash.

About Scarlet, Gray and Green Sustainability Program: The collaborative recycling effort between the Ohio State Athletics Department and Office of Business and Finance began in January 2007. The university initiated a sustainability program both in the stadium and at the tailgating lots to help address the amount of trash generated on campus at Buckeye football home games. 
 
Recycling is one element of the university's Scarlet, Gray & Green sustainability program. This fall, the program has been expanded to include recycling containers in all classroom areas. Additional efforts include:
• Campus bio-diesel conversion
• Green office supplies
• Energy-saving lights
• Energy conservation audits saving enough manufacturing energy to heat 82 homes for a year.