- November 10, 2016
- Posted by: SportsV
- Categories: Event News, Home News, Industry News, News
The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) has been recognised for its achievements in sustainability, receiving the inaugural #SEA Change Solutions award at the Sports Environment Alliance summit held in Melbourne.
As a founding member of the Sports Environment Alliance, the Melbourne Cricket Club has demonstrated a longstanding commitment to operating Australia’s most iconic stadium, the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), in an environmentally responsible manner.
Ongoing upgrades and efforts in water conservation, environmental protection, energy efficiency and waste management have significantly improved the stadium’s green credentials, and confirmed the MCG’s standing as one of the most sustainable stadia in the world.
The award comes in the midst of National Recycling Week, which runs from November 7- 13.
As host of more than 90 major sporting events and 3.5 million visitors annually, it is no surprise that the MCG produces a lot of rubbish – from pie wrappers and plastic cups to cardboard packaging and food waste.
However, thanks to comprehensive waste recycling efforts, in 2016 alone the stadium has been able to divert more than 1377 tones of rubbish from landfill, recycling 77.7 per cent of all waste created at the venue.
This is achieved through strict policies regarding the materials and products allowed to be brought into the stadium, and thorough waste segregation via 20 different streams – including glass, organics, soil and turf and soft plastics.
Peter Wearne, MCC Facilities General Manager, said:
This is a fantastic endorsement by leaders within our industry that the MCG’s sustainability efforts are at the forefront of best practice.
Beyond this accolade we are proud of the continued improvement of our recycling facilities at the MCG.
Approximately 10 years ago we were only recycling 10-15 percent of waste produced during events, so to now be above 70 per cent and rising is a great achievement.
We have a strong belief in the importance of operating the MCG in an environmentally responsible manner and we look forward to further improvements in the years to come.
