#United States #San Diego #Eco-Products #San Diego Padres #Petco Park

Eco-Products Joins Forces with San Diego Padres for Sustainable Waste Management

Eco-Products® has officially become the San Diego Padres' Official Zero Waste Partner, marking a significant step towards enhancing sustainable practices at Petco Park. This partnership aims to bolster the ballpark's composting initiative and enhance the team’s commitment to diverting waste from landfills during game days.

With a systems-based approach to waste diversion, Eco-Products brings together venue operations teams, food service partners, waste handlers, and composters. The goal is to minimize contamination in compost streams, ensuring the integrity of compostable materials used at the park.

This collaboration stems from discussions that began in 2022, evolving into a practical program involving not only the Padres but also Delaware North and Republic Services. This comprehensive effort aims to streamline composting across Petco Park, a venue welcoming millions of fans each year.

A Commitment to Sustainability

Wendell Simonson, the General Manager of Eco-Products, expressed pride in the partnership. He noted, “What began as a conversation about field testing has matured into a coordinated effort to effectively manage composting and waste at Petco Park.”

This initiative is also reflected in the sentiments of Padres COO Caroline Perry, who stated the importance of sustainable practices. “Petco Park has a civic duty to prioritize environmentally responsible practices,” she emphasized. The partnership with Eco-Products will enhance the accessibility of compostable food packaging and play a crucial role in the team’s mission to divert waste, reinforcing their commitment to sustainability in San Diego.

In 2023, Eco-Products collaborated with Delaware North and Republic Services to identify and test BPI-Certified compostable products for the park’s concessions. This involved multiple rounds of field testing extending over two years, thereby ensuring the products were suitable for use in real scenarios. The culmination of this rigorous process was the successful launch of a new composting program in 2025.

Two-Stream Waste Management System

This innovative program employs a two-stream waste bin system throughout Petco Park, designed specifically for compostable and recyclable materials. By clearly labeling bins for fans, the initiative effectively reduces the reliance on landfill waste receptacles. Furthermore, the park's janitorial staff sorts the collected materials to eliminate contamination, ensuring efficient waste management.

Debbie Friedel, Director of Sustainability for Delaware North highlighted the necessity of a coordinated approach toward waste reduction. “Reducing waste at a venue of this scale requires a multifaceted strategy that encompasses everything from material usage by concession teams to waste collection processing,” she commented. This collaboration aims to further strengthen the existing zero-waste framework that the Padres and Republic Services have established.

In 2025, the efforts resulted in diverting an impressive 2,002.8 tons of waste from landfills, including notable donations of food to Father Joe's Mission. This achievement demonstrates the significant impact of partnerships like these in fostering sustainable practices in large venues.

Republic Services, a key player in the environmental services domain, plays an integral role by offering diversified solutions at Petco Park. Jesus Torres, General Manager of Republic Services, highlighted that their partnership with Eco-Products and Delaware North enhances their sustainability objectives while yielding substantial environmental benefits.

Pioneering Waste Diversion

Eco-Products has consistently partnered with various venues such as ballparks and stadiums to uplift waste diversion efforts. They advocate for a systematic approach to reduce contamination, which is evident in their Controls Intended to Remove Contamination (CIRC) Program. This program is an open-source toolkit designed to assist the foodservice sector in maintaining clean organic streams by minimizing non-compostable items.

Simonson summarized the significance of having a robust supportive system for compostable packaging, stating, “Implementing compostable solutions can be highly effective when partnered with proper systems.” This partnership reinforces Eco-Products' commitment to ensuring that sustainability in sports venues is not just a trend but a lasting responsibility.

Conclusion

The collaboration between Eco-Products and the San Diego Padres is a substantial step forward in eco-friendly practices within the sports industry. By emphasizing the importance of sustainable waste management, they are setting an example for other venues to follow, fostering a culture of environmental responsibility that resonates with fans and teams alike.