Fall 2023: Tailgate Recycling initial meeting
On January 20, Nikki Palella, Justin Holding, Shawn Patterson, and Dominika Szal, and Daphne Hulse met to discuss the following:
What will be recycled?
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UIUC currently recycles plastics #1&2, metal, aluminum, paper, and cardboard
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Products that can be found at tailgates: paper and plastic products, aluminum, glass
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UIUC does not recycle glass:
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Would we potentially be able to haul glass to the vendor that UIUC Dining uses? (Midwest Fiber)
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Check cost with Midwest Fiber.
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If there is a cost, consider DIA supporting this cost.
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Selling point: anything recyclable will be free of charge to remove.
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We would need to provide a separated bin for glass products at each tailgate section
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Aluminum and plastic bottles can be collected, plastic and paper might be accepted depending on its use (plastic cups might be accepted, but any paper/plastic product used for food is most likely going to have to go into landfill)
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Future idea: use diversion rates from the tailgating and stand pick up collection as segue into DIA concessionaire conversations (because we will eventually hit a wall for our diversion rate if we can’t collect food waste, food-soiled containers, non-recyclable materials)
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What will need to be prepared
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Signage regarding what is recyclable, what isn’t (this was successful at the basketball game).
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Located at all the major parking lots: E14, E32.
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Contact DIA to understand the SFC parking lot use for tailgating.
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Could be a signboard located in key points throughout the tailgate areas.
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In combination: have informational papers (pamphlets) attached to the bags that are handed out that explain what is/isn’t recyclable.
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Centralized bins to collect recyclables and trash:
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Swingpans, rolloffs, iSEE in a central location.
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Volunteers would be needed (iSEE interns)
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Roles:
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Some could walk around carrying bags to give to tailgaters.
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Some could walk around collecting recyclables specifically and provide information.
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Some could stand by the bins to ensure that items are placed in the proper location.
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Have it be shift-based. We learned at the basketball game that that would be most successful. During rush time (1 hour before the game starts, have the most volunteers on board).
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Incentive via raffle:
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Tailgaters incentivized to recycle, entered into a raffle if they do. Sustainable swag as a giveaway.
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Other considerations
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How many tailgating areas are there?
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How many stands would be needed to cover each tailgating area? How many volunteers per area/in charge of a stand.
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Grange Grove is popular spot.
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Initially, we will only target E14 and E32 as this is where the majority of tailgaters will be, then we can expand as initiative develops over time.
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Would we like to try to implement any “zero waste” games to go along with the tailgate recycling as well?
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Idea: instead of having a zero waste game like we do for basketball, focus efforts on before games (tailgating) and after games (pickup in the stands).
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We would need ~100-150 volunteers for stand pick up after games, assuming a 45min-1hour pickup session
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Incentivize with free football game tickets.
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Pro: having volunteers pick up would assist the DIA staff who would otherwise have to pick up the items from the stand (and put them in the landfill).
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Con: less interaction/engagement with attendees.
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Shawn’s idea: Gamification. Have service fraternities/sororities assist with the tailgate recycling and compete with each other to see who can collect the most?
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Could implement this within the pickup in the stands, too.
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See how our partnership with Coca-Cola could play into this tailgate plan - could they assist with volunteer t-shirts, costs etc?
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How many games would we want to implement this program?
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In 2022 UIUC held 7 home games between the end of August and the start of November (the final 4 of these games were Big Ten; bigger crowds). 6 took place on Saturdays. 1 occurred on a Thursday.
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Start small, learn the dynamic of the space. Start pre-season, if possible. Work up to a Big Ten game.
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Once we get a hang of how everything works, we can aim big.
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Seek recommendations from peer schools (OSU).
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Results from the Big 10 survey could really help.
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F&S’ role
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Collecting recyclables and trash after the event.
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Providing the blue recycling bags.
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Providing containers (free) for the tailgating spaces.
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Reduces the overhead cost for DIA.
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Daphne (ZW team - Shreya + Dominika) + Shawn.
Timeline
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January - May: Planning, strategizing with iCAP ZW team, F&S, DIA, iSEE, Coca-Cola as needed.
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June-July: Buffer for any remaining planning. Prepare and execute publicity ahead of the fall semester.
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Early-Mid August: Heavier publicity, recruit volunteers.
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Late August: Launch the program.
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Early November: Close the program
Immediate next steps
- Dominika: Reach out to Midwest Fiber to determine the cost of glass recycling.
- Shreya: Reach out to DIA (Tim Knox) about how the State Farm Center parking lots are used during tailgates.
- Team: Look into peer schools' programs for best practices.
- Daphne: Schedule a Memorial Stadium Tour (for the stand recycling initiative).
- Team: Create a more refined vision/roadmap, meet with the group for follow up.
