Galaxy to Offer Discounted Parking to Fans in Hybrid Vehicles for Game against the Portland Timbers
CARSON, Calif.– The LA Galaxy announced today that the club will be hosting an Earth Day Celebration, featuring a series of environmentally-friendly initiatives and activities, at their home game against the Portland Timbers. The game, which is presented by Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, will kick off at 8 p.m. on Saturday, April 23 at The Home Depot Center.
In celebration of Earth Day, the Galaxy are hoping to raise awareness about ways that everyone can reduce their carbon footprint and other environmental issues throughout Southern California. Additionally, the club has teamed with MLS W.O.R.K.S., Major League Soccer’s community outreach initiative, on their Greener Goals programs and The Home Depot Center on an E-Waste Drive.
All fans that drive up to The Home Depot Center in hybrid vehicles on game day will receive Preferred Parking (normally $30) for the price of General Parking, for $15. Season Ticket Holders with pre-paid parking in hybrid vehicles will automatically be upgraded to Preferred Parking.
Throughout the week leading up to the game, the club will be encouraging its front office staff, players, coaches, partners and fans to carpool to work and help make L.A. a cleaner, healthier community. Fans are also encouraged to carpool to the game in an effort to reduce carbon emissions.
In addition, fans will be able to get Eco-friendly tips from Galaxy players on how to help out the environment. The videos, which feature Todd Dunivant, Sean Franklin, Omar Gonzalez, Bryan Jordan, Mike Magee and Michael Stephens showcase tips provided by the Natural Resources Defense Council, with support from media partners Hot 92.3 FM and 98.7 FM.
WATCH: Bryan Jordan & Mike Magee on carpooling
On game day, the Galaxy will be handing out several green giveaways including 10,000 Children’s Hospital Los Angeles sports injury first aid kits provided in reusable bags, 5,000 eco guides and 5,000 seed packs courtesy of the Los Angeles Galaxy Foundation and the America the Beautiful Fund. Additionally, the club’s official Gameday Program, which fans can pick up their free copy of the program as they enter the stadium, will be printed on recyclable paper.
Fans that bring E-Waste to The Home Depot Center before the match, from 5 to 8 p.m., will receive a $5 discount voucher to an upcoming game. Items accepted in the E-Waste Drive include computers, monitors, printers, electronic toys, PDAs, VCR/VCD/DVD players, toaster, microwaves, car batteries, phones and more. The collection will be administered by TRI E-Waste Recycler and proceeds will benefit the LA Galaxy Foundation and The Home Depot Center Charitable Foundation.
Additionally, the Galaxy will raise awareness about environmental issues throughout the soccer community by turning off non-essential lighting at The Home Depot Center, which includes interior lighting in soccer stadium’s 42 event suites.
With their partnership in the Greener Goals initiative, the club encourages MLS clubs, players, partners and fans to create a cleaner, healthier environment, especially the reduction of carbon footprint. By reducing their carbon footprint, the Galaxy will receive Renewable Energy Certificates, courtesy of through MLS W.O.R.K.S. These certificates, which were purchased from Portland, Ore.-based Bonneville Environmental Foundation, will offset 100% of the electricity used at The Home Depot Center during the day of the game. The reduction value is the equivalent of more than 191,798 pounds carbon dioxide and will support enough wind energy to power an average U.S. home for over 11 years.
Throughout the game, fans will be able to see field board advertising for the MLS W.O.R.K.S. Greener Goals initiative as well as hear PA and video announcements about Greener Goals at the stadium.
Additionally, The Home Depot Center has instituted a new recycling program wherein 98 re-labeled trash receptacles are strategically places in clusters of three throughout the stadium. The new recycling “clusters” include a blue bin for plastic, a green bin for paper and a black bin for landfill, all trash that cannot be recycled.
The sustainability efforts for the April 23 match complement AEG’s 1EARTH campaign, which was formalized in 2010 with the AEG 1EARTH Sustainability Report, an industry first, which outlines goals specific to energy, waste, water and emission-reduction targets. AEG’s ongoing investments in solar energy and LEED-certified green building design and operations are important steps in achieving these reductions, as are event-driven initiatives, including the Galaxy’s Earth Day celebration.
For more information about club’s environmentally-friendly initiatives and activities, and other gameday information, visit www.lagalaxy.com/gameday.
