In a groundbreaking achievement, Q2 Stadium, home to Austin FC, Austin鈥檚 first Major League Soccer (MLS) team, has earned its Total Resource Use and Efficiency (TRUE) certification, making it the first soccer-specific stadium and fifth sports venue worldwide to achieve this honor. MLS is a men’s professional soccer league sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation, which represents the sport’s highest level in the United States. This landmark certification underscores Q2 Stadium鈥檚 commitment to sustainability, driven by strategic planning and operational support from Okapi Environmental Services (OES).
TRUE Certification, developed by Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI), recognizes organizations that implement comprehensive zero waste policies, achieve an average diversion rate of 90% or greater from landfills and adhere to a stringent set of waste reduction criteria. OES played a pivotal role in guiding Q2 Stadium through the certification process, from establishing sustainability goals to implementing innovative procedures.
OES鈥� dedicated team of credentialed TRUE Advisors provided hands-on consulting, connecting Austin FC officials with vendors who share a commitment to sustainability. Their collaborative efforts led to the creation of an onsite waste processing facility, a mini Materials Recovery Facility (MRF), designed to maximize the efficiency of sorting and recycling operations at Q2 stadium. This facility has enabled Q2 Stadium to achieve and maintain an impressive diversion rate of over 90% from the landfill.
鈥淥kapi has been especially great as we鈥檝e really formalized our zero waste goal. Their team is made up of certified TRUE advisors so we really utilized them to help us with what all the credits mean for TRUE, what we could accomplish and how to get all the TRUE documentation together,鈥� said Nick Otte, Senior Director of Stadium Operations at Austin FC. 鈥淟ong term, the data they鈥檝e collected for us along with their knowledge on the EcoVisor dashboard has been a really helpful tool.鈥�
As the Official Waste and Recycling Partner of Austin FC, Texas Disposal Systems (TDS) has also been instrumental in advancing Q2 Stadium鈥檚 sustainability initiatives. Key accomplishments include:
- Eco Stations: Guiding the selection of waste receptacles, called Eco Stations, that offer clear sorting instructions for fans, staff and athletes. Notably, the trash section is strategically smaller than the recycling and compost sections, encouraging fans to adopt sustainable disposal practices.
- Trash Goalies: Providing staff to serve as Trash Goalies at the Eco Stations, offering fans real-time guidance on proper waste disposal to enhance their participation in sustainability efforts.
- Educational Initiatives: Producing an award-winning video featuring a soccer ball navigating through the stadium, visually demonstrating how to sort items into the correct receptacles. This engaging approach helps fans easily identify where to dispose of their waste.
In addition to these initiatives, OES provided a thorough analysis of Q2 Stadium鈥檚 waste handling processes and developed a comprehensive guide for measuring sustainability data, helping the stadium track and quantify its success. 鈥淭his recognition is a testament to the leadership of Austin FC and Q2 Stadium in championing environmentally responsible practices,鈥� said Matt Hutchings, Chief Operating Officer at OES. 鈥淲e hope this achievement inspires other sports and entertainment venues to enhance their sustainability efforts and pursue meaningful certifications. Okapi is committed to supporting facilities across the nation in their journey towards waste diversion and sustainability excellence.鈥�