The LA Galaxy will be honored as an Environmental Innovator of the Year at Green Sports Alliance’s (GSA) Sixth Annual Game Changer Awards in Sacramento, Calif. on June 28, 2017. The Galaxy were selected for their efforts in sustainable stadium operations at StubHub Center in addition to community and fan engagement.
Leading the way in sustainable stadium operations, the LA Galaxy and StubHub Center launched Protect the Pitch, a club and stadium-wide initiative designed to engage the community, save water, conserve energy, and reduce waste. The LA Galaxy’s stadium at StubHub Center was the first soccer-specific MLS stadium to be lit with high efficiency LED sports lights and uses recycled water to irrigate the pitch. Additionally, the venue recently launched an in-stadium greenhouse, chicken coop and apiary, which produces 800 pounds of honey. Additionally, through a series of volunteer projects with TreePeople, Heal the Bay, and Garden School Foundation, LA Galaxy players and staff have engaged with the local community to help promote environmentally responsible lifestyles.
“We are thrilled to be recognized as an Innovator of the Year by the Green Sports Alliance,” said LA Galaxy President Chris Klein. “The LA Galaxy have worked diligently to be one of the most environmentally sustainable teams in in North America, highlighted by the numerous investments and measures at our home, StubHub Center. We will continue to find innovative ways to conserve energy, increase sustainability and engage our community.”
Protect the Pitch is a program launched by the LA Galaxy and StubHub Center last year that focuses on reducing the environmental impact of LA Galaxy games and practices at StubHub Center, supporting environmental projects in our community, and inspiring fans to help create healthier, more sustainable communities. As part of Protect the Pitch, the Galaxy and StubHub Center will continue to implement various efforts designed to engage the community, save water, conserve energy, and reduce waste while involving and encouraging the Galaxy fan base to support these efforts.
Green Sports Alliance leverages the cultural and market influence of sports to promote healthy, sustainable communities where people live and play. The Alliance inspires professional sports leagues, sports governing bodies, colleges, teams, venues, their partners and millions of fans to embrace renewable energy, healthy food, recycling, water efficiency, safer chemicals and other environmentally preferable practices. Alliance members span 500 organizations, representing 15 leagues in 14 countries.
PROTECT THE PITCH INITIATIVES
In-House Resources
- StubHub Center houses 12 chickens in a dedicated chicken coup on site
- StubHub Center is home to four separate beehives which produce over 800 pounds of honey per year
- A greenhouse resides that StubHub Center, which produces numerous types of vegetables used to provide food for tenants at StubHub Center
Energy
- Motion sensors save energy by ensuring lights stay off when no one is using them
- New and upgraded LED lights less 60 percent less energy than the lighting array it replaced
- StubHub Center is the only soccer-specific MLS stadium to utilize LED stadium lights
- StubHub Center uses 1-megawatt of Tesla batteries, StubHub Center manages energy usage in a more responsible and environmentally-friendly way
Water
- The LA Galaxy irrigate fields at StubHub Center with roughly 50% recycled water, saving about 35 Olympic swimming pools of drinking water each year
- StubHub Center uses waterless urinals, low-flow toilets, and faucet aerators to reduce water use in our restrooms
- LA Galaxy train employees to help minimize water use when cleaning up the stadium
Waste and Recycling
- LA Galaxy capture bottles, cans, cups, cardboard, paper, and more through our recycling program
- Our composting program sends grass clippings from our fields to a local nursery and brings them back on-site as mulch
- By purchasing recycled-content paper products, we’re helping make sure the materials we recycle go to good us
- Have irrigated fields and landscaping with recycled water since opening in 2003
Community
- LA Galaxy and StubHub Center employees volunteer to help keep our community healthy through numerous initiatives, including planting trees and cleaning up beaches
- The LA Galaxy and StubHub Center partner with local nonprofits to organize annual events for Earth Hour, Earth Day, and America Recycles Day
- Upcoming volunteer days
Transportation
- StubHub Center features on-site bike racks to make it easier for Galaxy fans to bike to the game
- LA Galaxy and StubHub Center launched The Galaxy Express this year, which offers fans free non-stop shuttles to and from StubHub Center for every LA Galaxy home match
- The Galaxy Express can be utilized in two separate locations and operate approximately every 10 minutes
PROTECT THE PITCH PARTICIPATION
At Galaxy games:
- Fans can recycle bottles, cans and cups in the designated recycling bins, both inside StubHub Center and in tailgating areas
- Team up with friends and family to carpool to Galaxy games
- Utilize The Galaxy Express shuttle to go to and from StubHub Center
- Use the designated drop-off and pick-up zone at StubHub Center
At home:
Energy
- Galaxy fans can turn off the lights and adjust the heating or cooling when not home to save energy
- When replacing appliances, look for ENERGY STAR® models to conserve energy
Water
- Experiment with watering your lawn less frequently. Most home water use happens in your yard.
- When replacing bathroom or kitchen fixtures, look for WaterSense® products to save water
Waste and Recycling
- Galaxy fans can recycle at home and are encouraged to set up a compost bin for food waste.
- Buy perishable food in smaller quantities to reduce food waste (and save money!)
Transportation
- Fans are encouraged to carpool, use public transportation, or cycle to try to reduce your carbon footprint
LA Galaxy Season Ticket Memberships for the 2017 MLS season are available for purchase now. Season Ticket Members and Galaxy fans can go to www.lagalaxy.com/tickets/seasonticketsto secure their 2017 LA Galaxy Season Ticket package.
LA Galaxy single game tickets for the remainder of the 2017 MLS season are also available for purchase. Galaxy fans can go to www.lagalaxy.com/tickets or call 877.3GALAXY (342.5299) for information, purchasing, and special offers.
