CU’s Folsom Field

Photo Source: CCBImages

In 2008 The University of Colorado embarked on an intensive recycling and composting program for Folsom Field.  The program, dubbed Ralphie’s Green Stampede, is the first zero-waste program ever at an NCAA Championship Series stadium. 

The hard work of organizers, vendors and students paid off.  CU-Boulder collected more than 40 tons of recycling and compostables from football games.  Folsom Field had an 80 percent resource recovery rate, which means that 80 percent of all the materials generated inside the stadium where diverted from landfills through reuse, recycling and composting.  Many materials collected, or their byproducts, will be used by the University at a later date.  For instance, officials collected over 300 gallons of fry oil from the concession stands.  Once refined, the oil will be used as biodiesel fuel for CU’s bus fleet. 

Composting was a major component of Ralphie’s Green Stampede.  Officials also placed composting bins along with the recycling bins throughout the stadium.  These bins collected 14 tons of compostable food and biodegradable materials.  Some of the compost will later be used on the CU-Boulder campus during landscaping operations.

2008 resulted in a 199 percent increase in recycling and compostable collected from home football games.  For the 2009 season, CU-Boulder will build on their successes to be even closer to their zero-waste goal.