Eco-Products Partners with San Francisco Giants to Promote Zero Waste Initiatives

Eco-Products Teams Up with the San Francisco Giants

In an exciting development for sustainable practices in sports, Eco-Products® has been named the Official Zero Waste Partner of the San Francisco Giants, furthering the organization’s commitment to environmental stewardship. Under this partnership, Eco-Products will supply compostable foodservice packaging for use at Oracle Park, aligning with the Giants' ongoing composting efforts and waste diversion strategies.

The Giants have taken significant strides in sustainability, having secured 13 Green Glove Awards since the program began in 2008 — the most recent in 2022. These awards are given annually to the team in Major League Baseball (MLB) that excels in recycling and green initiatives. With this new collaboration, the Giants aim to incorporate Eco-Products' compostable items, reducing landfill waste significantly and enhancing the overall experience for fans attending games at the iconic ballpark.

Commitment to Waste Diversion

Wendell Simonson, the Director of Marketing for Eco-Products, expressed enthusiasm for their role in this partnership. “We’ve admired the waste diversion program at Oracle Park for a long time. Getting the opportunity to help the Giants use compostable packaging to keep food waste out of landfills is a milestone achievement and one that we could not be more excited about.” This excitement is echoed by Alfonso Felder, the Chief Operations and Experience Officer at the Giants, who sees this integration as an important advancement in their sustainability journey.

In recent years, Oracle Park has been recognized for its exceptional sustainability efforts, making it the first major league stadium to receive the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) Platinum certification for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). Notably, Oracle Park has achieved a remarkable waste diversion rate of 97%, a growth from 57% in 2009, thanks to its robust composting program supported by Recology, a waste management provider.

Taking Steps Towards a Sustainable Future

The partnership showcases a collaborative approach, pulling together venue operations, foodservice stakeholders, waste haulers, and composters. The goal is to decrease contamination levels from non-compostable materials, ensuring that the process is as effective as possible. Rafe Gabel, Senior General Manager for Diamond 58 presented by Aramark Sports + Entertainment, remarked, “As the official hospitality provider at Oracle Park, we are committed to enhancing food and beverage experiences while integrating sustainable practices.”

In addition to the partnership, Eco-Products has a rich history of collaborating with various venues like ballparks and stadiums to achieve waste diversion success and promote a sustainable environment. They advocate a system-driven approach to maintain the integrity of composting efforts, exemplified through their CIRC Program, which is aimed at mitigating non-compostables from organic waste streams.

Making a Positive Impact in the Community

The collaboration with Eco-Products is part of a broader commitment by the San Francisco Giants, who continue to push boundaries in eco-friendly practices. In 2019, they received the Environmental Innovator of the Year Award from the Green Sports Alliance for their extensive green initiatives. Such honors reflect their leadership in sustainable management practices within the sports industry.

As this partnership unfolds, it sets a remarkable precedent for other teams and venues looking to participate in sustainability. By prioritizing waste diversion and adopting compostable materials, the Giants and Eco-Products aim to inspire fans and the broader community to recognize the importance of environmental responsibility. Together, they strive not just to showcase excellence in baseball but to pioneer changes that encourage sustainable habits among sports enthusiasts everywhere.