POINTS AS PANTHERS SEASON KICKS OFF
Charlotte, N.C. – Are you a devoted Panthers fan, complete with a
tailgating tradition of beer and burgers on the barbecue? If so, Keep
Mecklenburg Beautiful and several community partners want to make it
easier for you to recycle before you head off to your sweet seat in
the stadium this season.
Keep Mecklenburg Beautiful is teaming up with the Carolina Panthers,
Bojangles', the City of Charlotte's Solid Waste Services and Center
City Partners to combat waste and boost recycling among tailgaters. A
pilot recycling program launched August 29 in a four-block area near
the Bank of America Stadium at the Panthers' first preseason game
against the Baltimore Ravens. At the two Panthers preseason home
games, more than 2,500 pounds of recyclables were collected – about 15
percent of total material collected.
"Our goal to start is to divert 20 percent of this volume, which
equates to 4,000 pounds of recyclable bottles and cans that are
generated by tailgaters before a typical home game," says Jake Wilson,
executive director of Keep Mecklenburg Beautiful. "We know we can grow
from there."
Tailgaters will receive two bags as they enter their usual parking
lot. One is designated for trash. The other, a bright yellow bag with
the Panthers and Bojangles' logos, is for all recyclable bottles and
cans. Tailgaters will be instructed to leave both bags at the curb for
collection by the City of Charlotte before they head into the stadium.
Tailgating generates nearly 10 tons of waste on most game days,
according to the City of Charlotte.
If the program is successful, the footprint of the recycling area will
be expanded.
Keep Mecklenburg Beautiful is a division of Mecklenburg County that
works to empower the residents of Mecklenburg County to take greater
responsibility for enhancing their environment.
