Environment the real winner at Super Bowl 50

Although it was the game and half time entertainment that made the headlines, Superbowl 50 also received environmental plaudits.

The San Francisco 49-ers Levi’s stadium, which hosted the world’s most watched sports event, is the first of its kind to be awarded gold certification based on its Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). And, although the previous two years had seen progress made in terms of the environmental impact of the event, this year’s event really took it to the next level.

One of the key components of the LEED gold certification was the waste reduction management utilised during the construction of the stadium and in its current day-to-day activities.  Close to two-thirds of all consumer waste is recycled, alongside 87% of all the stadium’s durable goods.

Power generation is another impressive element of the environmental success of the Levi’s stadium. An incredible 1,150 solar panels have been used to generate enough power for each of the 49-ers home games, with two banks of panels positioned at two separate points around the stadium.

This solar drive is being witnessed throughout the NFL, with 10 other venues boasting 8.5 MW combined in solar capacity. This is set to grow further in the near future too, with two other teams, the Atlanta Falcons and Baltimore Ravens, also currently installing large volumes of solar panels.

Such an impressive environmental progression at one of the US’s biggest events is seen as part of a wider movement to promote green technology throughout sport.