Sodexo helps Ohio State reach zero-waste game-day goal

Oct. 6—After three games this football season, efforts by Sodexo at The Ohio State University have diverted nearly 60,000 pounds of waste away from landfill as part of its effort to achieve zero waste, according to a company press release.

The goal is to divert 90% of Ohio Stadium’s game-day waste. So far Sodexo and university partners have diverted 70% after the first three games. According to Ohio State evaluation reports quoted in the release, OSU’s game against Akron resulted in a 76% diversion rate, the game against Toledo resulted in a 63% diversion rate and the game against Colorado resulted in a 72% diversion rate.

"Sodexo is proud to support Ohio State in finding a solution to reducing waste at one of the biggest stadiums in the country," Tom Post, president of Sodexo Campus Education, said in the release. "This work demonstrates our strong commitment to sustainability through reducing waste and engaging Ohio State fans for a good cause."

Trash stations have been removed from the stadium. Compost and recycling stations have been placed near the concessions stands to encourage fans to recycle and compost. Signage encourages fans that if waste looks like food or paper, then compost it; if it looks like plastic, metal or glass, then recycle it.

"When in doubt, we ask fans to recycle it, and the contamination will be sorted out at the recycling facility," Danny Phillips, Sodexo general manager at Ohio Stadium, said in the release. "Behavior change by employees and fans is the key to success and we'll keep working at it until we reach our partner's goal."