Athletics

Penn State thanks fans for football game day recycling efforts

Only recyclable items — plastic bottles, glass bottles and metal cans — should be placed in the blue recycling bags or the blue recycling containers located in the Beaver Stadium parking lots. Credit: Penn State AthleticsAll Rights Reserved.

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State and its recycling partners are thanking football fans for increased participation in the game day recycling and sustainability efforts and encouraging continued awareness in separating recyclable items before, during and after every game.

Only recyclable items — plastic bottles, glass bottles and metal cans — should be placed in the blue recycling bags or the blue recycling containers located in the Beaver Stadium parking lots.

Following the last home game, Sept. 30 vs. Indiana, the Beaver Stadium parking lots were markedly cleaner than after previous games this season, according to Herb Combs, Penn State assistant athletic director for outdoor athletic facilities, and Amy Schirf of the Centre County Recycling & Refuse Authority.

“The lots looked much better after the Indiana game, as good as they’ve looked in the past 12 years, which was fantastic,” Schirf said. “We greatly appreciate the actions of all the fans to be environmentally responsible. We would encourage fans to please continue placing all trash in the clear bags and all recyclable items in the blue bags or the blue recycling containers found in all the parking lots.

“We’re asking everyone to please maintain their efforts to clean up their tailgates and separate their recyclable items at the Michigan game and the rest of the season,” Schirf added.

There are approximately 120 “A-frames” with blue recycling and clear trash bags placed throughout all the Beaver Stadium parking lots. The vast majority of the “A-frames” are located near the lot entrance or near portable toilets in the lots.

In addition, there are approximately 60 recycling centers, with blue containers, spread throughout the lots.

Only recyclable items should be placed in the blue bags or in the blue containers — plastic bottles, glass bottles and metal cans. All other items should be placed in the clear trash bags. Bags should be securely closed and left where fans parked and they will be picked up after the lots close.

Proper recycling and garbage disposal help to preserve the environment and keep the University grounds well maintained. Penn State encourages all fans to take responsibility for their tailgates, to clean up when their tailgate ends, and make sure all garbage and recycling are properly collected and placed in the appropriate bag.

Fans also are asked to not leave grills, chairs, tents, stumps, coolers or other bulk items at their tailgate location.

Intercollegiate Athletics also has partnered with Penn State’s Office of the Physical Plant (OPP), the Sustainability Institute and the Centre County Recycling & Refuse Authority (CCRRA) to help educate and promote recycling on game days. The Student Tailgate Ambassadors are leading the charge by engaging with fans in the Beaver Stadium parking lots and inside stadium as well, including the Mount Nittany Club.

The No. 2 Nittany Lions (6-0, 3-0) host No. 19/15 Michigan (5-1, 2-1) at 7:30 p.m. Saturday for the Penn State White Out game. 

Last Updated June 18, 2021