Waste Management's Green Tailgating Tips are a Touchdown for All Teams

With football season upon us, preparations for tailgating parties have begun! To help reduce the unnecessary waste that often comes with cheering for the home team, Waste Management of Southern California offers tips to the community on how to go green when tailgating.

“Everyone loves the excitement of football season including the fantasy football and tailgating parties that come with it, and we’d like to encourage customers to add recycling to the mix to enjoy the season without creating a lot of extra waste,” said Eloisa Orozco, spokesperson for Waste Management of Southern California.

Orozco said there are simple things any fan can do to keep a tailgate green:

• Know what is recyclable and what is not. For instance, glass and plastic bottles, aluminum cans and cardboard are often recyclable, but other items – like foam cups – are not.
• Use your reusable bags for shopping and for bringing items to and from games and parties.
• Buy tailgating supplies in bulk and ensure they’re made with recycled content. You’ll reduce packaging waste, save money and rest easy knowing that these items can be recycled again.
• Purchase reusable and unbreakable cups, dishes, utensils and cloth napkins. If you must buy one-use items, use paper-based plates and cups that are compostable.
• Bring reusable water bottles and large thermoses for beverages.
• Barbecue with natural products made from environmentally friendly sources or all natural, chemical-free charcoal.
• Prepare your food and beverages using local ingredients. Buying from the community supports the local economy and reduces the emissions and packaging needed for transporting products from greater distances.

“We wish everyone lots of fun this football season and would like to remind them, no matter what color their favorite team is, going green is a touchdown for all teams,” Orozco said.

ABOUT WASTE MANAGEMENT
Waste Management Inc., based in Houston, Texas, is the leading provider of comprehensive waste management services in North America. Through its subsidiaries, the company provides collection, transfer, recycling and resource recovery and disposal services. It is also a leading developer, operator and owner of waste-to-energy and landfill gas-to-energy facilities in the United States. The company’s customers include residential, commercial, industrial and municipal customers throughout North America. To learn more about Waste Management, visit www.wm.com or www.thinkgreen.com.