Loons Release Third-Quarter Sustainability Update

Organization announces results from composting and recycling programs

GreatLakesLoons_2013-10-09

 

MIDLAND, Mich. – In October 2012, the Great Lakes Loons and Dow Diamond announced a corporate partnership with the Dow Chemical Company and Dow Corning to enhance sustainability practices across all aspects of the organization. Today, the Loons released their third quarter report detailing efforts made to reach the ambitious goal of reducing total energy used, water used and waste generated at Dow Diamond by 50 percent by 2020.

Highlights from the third quarter report include results from the new composting program for Dow Diamond’s food waste, recycling statistics from the 2013 season, as well as water, waste and energy usage reduction numbers through the first three quarters of 2013.

The composting program was launched in April in conjunction with Morgan Composting, located in Sears, Mich., to deposit food waste generated from Loons home games and events at Dow Diamond. Once fully composted, the material will be used to fertilize Dow Diamond’s grounds and flower beds. Through September, the composting program has reduced landfill waste by generating 37,000 pounds of compost material.

The organization also refined its recycling program for the 2013 season, resulting in 24,675 pounds of recyclable material avoiding landfill, 12,600 pounds of cardboard being recycled, and 961 pounds of unused food from Loons games being donated to the Hidden Harvest Food Bank.

Phase one of Dow Diamond’s LED light and occupancy sensor conversion was completed in April 2013. The first phase cost $6,800 and is anticipated to generate a kilowatt-hour savings per year of $15,303. The LED lighting project was funded by a $33,670 grant from the Saginaw Bay Watershed Initiative Network (WIN), a collaborative community-driven quality of life initiative created by a variety of environmental, business and community interest in 1996.

“We are very proud of the results generated from the composting and recycling programs our operations staff implemented in 2013,” said Loons President and General Manager Paul Barbeau. “These programs are paying dividends and we will continue to work closely with our sustainability partners in the Dow Chemical Company and Dow Corning to find innovative ways to reach our 2020 sustainability goals.”

Click here to view the Great Lakes Loons Third Quarter Sustainability Report for 2013.

The Great Lakes Loons are a seventh-year Single-A partner of the Los Angeles Dodgers. For more information about the Loons, visit Loons.com or call 989-837-BALL.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Great Lakes Loons. Click here to view the original story.

Dragons, Cohen Recycling Team Up

DAYTON, OH – The Dayton Dragons and Cohen Recycling will be teaming up to help Miami Valley residents recycle unwanted electronics. Cohen Recycling will be collecting unwanted electronics on both June 11 and July 20 on the Fifth Third Field Plaza.

Tuesday, June 11 (7am – 3pm)

Recycle your old computers, cell phones and other unwanted electronics! Bring them to the plaza at Fifth Third Field on June 11 from 7am – 3pm and Cohen will do the rest. Enjoy FREE breakfast or lunch while you’re there! Each car will get a FREE Dragons t-shirt and an entry to win a “VIP Experience” including throwing out a first pitch at a Dragons game!

Saturday, July 20 (2pm – 5pm)

Cohen will also be recycling electronics on the plaza at Fifth Third Field on July 20 from 2pm – 5pm. You can meet the Dragons mascots, Heater and Gem, and the Green Team! Kids can play some inflatable games, get balloon animals and glitter tattoos. Each car will get a FREE Dragons t-shirt and an entry to win a “VIP Experience” including throwing out a first pitch at a Dragons game!

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Dayton Dragons. Click here to view the original story.

Loons Release First-Quarter Sustainability Update

Organization launches new initiatives to reduce energy and waste

GreatLakesLoons_2013-05-02

 

MIDLAND, Mich. – In October 2012, the Great Lakes Loons and Dow Diamond announced a corporate partnership with the Dow Chemical Company and Dow Corning to enhance sustainability practices across all aspects of the organization. Today, the Loons released their first quarter report detailing efforts made to reach the ambitious goal of reducing total energy used, water used and waste generated at Dow Diamond by 50 percent in 2020.

Highlights from the first quarter report include a new composting program for Dow Diamond’s food waste, as well as the installation of LED lighting and occupancy control sensors that will significantly reduce kilowatt hours of electricity used and carbon dioxide emissions generated from lighting fixtures.

The composting program was launched in conjunction with Morgan Composting, located in Sears, Mich., to deposit food waste generated from Loons home games and events at Dow Diamond. Once fully composted, the material will be used to fertilize Dow Diamond’s grounds and flower beds. This program will reduce landfill waste, while also reducing the organization’s dependence on fertilizer products for Dow Diamond’s grounds.

The organization recently expanded the use of occupancy control sensors throughout various areas of Dow Diamond. The sensors will result in the reduction of approximately 6,445 kilowatt hours used to light areas of Dow Diamond and lower carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 15,588 pounds-per-year.

More efficient LED lighting has also been installed in various areas of Dow Diamond, which will result in an energy reduction of approximately 15,303 kilowatt hours and reduce the carbon dioxide generate every year by approximately 36,575 pounds.

Over the past several months, Loons staff members have spent time learning from corporate sustainability leaders at Dow and Dow Corning, as well as other regional organizations. From those conversations, the Loons have outlined various areas to increase efficiency, while also reducing the use of energy, water and the amount of waste generated.

“Our organization is fortunate to have the opportunity to learn from world class, global sustainability leaders at both Dow and Dow Corning,” said Loons President and General Manager Paul Barbeau. “Our sustainability partnership is already paying dividends with the new initiatives launched and we will continue to work closely with Dow and Dow Corning to find innovative ways to reach our 2020 sustainability goals.”

Click here to view the Great Lakes Loons First Quarter Sustainability Report for 2013.

The Great Lakes Loons are a seventh-year Single-A partner of the Los Angeles Dodgers. For tickets and more information about the Loons, visit Loons.com or call 989-837-BALL.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Great Lakes Loons. Click here to view the original story.

Spikes announce 2013 school programs

Programs expected to reach over 15,000 Central PA school children

StateCollegeSpikes_2013-04-15
Spikes mascots, players and staff can visit your school as part of each program

The State College Spikes have announced the team’s roster of 2013 school programs. Each program has a unique theme and focus, but the common goal is to use the fun Spikes brand to supplement classroom curriculum in the areas of reading, writing, exercising, eating healthy and living an eco-friendly lifestyle.

Most programs are supplemented by school assemblies involving mascots, players and front office staff, and all programs offer K-8 students the opportunity to earn free tickets and experiences at Spikes home games upon completion of fun program tasks. Last year, the Spikes reached over 15,000 Central PA school children in Centre, Clearfield, Clinton, Huntingdon, Mifflin and Juniata Counties.

Below are capsules of the Spikes 2013 school programs:

Healthy Home Runs presented by Mount Nittany Health
The Spikes and Mount Nittany Health are offering this school program, which is designed to promote a healthy lifestyle through nutrition and physical activity. Ike the Spike and representatives from Mount Nittany Health will visit schools to hold a kick-off assembly (which can be held outside or inside). During the assembly, K-6 students will be educated on the importance exercise and nutrition before having the opportunity to take “Ike’s Fun Fit Challenge.” Students who complete the simple and fun physical fitness challenge will be rewarded with one complimentary Bullpen Box ticket and an on-field recognition ceremony during the Spikes’ Healthy Home Runs Day at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park on Saturday, August 3, 2013.

Project I.K.E presented by Centre County Recycling and Refuse Authority
Project I.K.E. is a collaboration between the Spikes and Centre County Recycling and Refuse Authority teaching children about the importance of “going green” and incorporating eco-friendly practices in their daily lives. The acronym in the program title stands for “Inspiring Kids to be Eco-Friendly” and targets children in grades K-8. The Spikes, Ike the Spike and a representative from the Centre County Recycling and Refuse Authority will host educational school assembly visits for each participating school. Project I.K.E. also offers complimentary tours of Medlar Field at Lubrano Park, which demonstrates how the Spikes recycle and go green in the world’s first LEED Certified (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) ballpark. As part of the program, students will be given an educational packet to complete, which can be redeemed for one complimentary Bullpen Box Ticket to a 2013 Spikes home game.

Spikes Student All-Star Program presented by Chick-fil-A and PSEA
In partnership with Chick-fil-A and the Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA), the Spikes Student All-Stars program provides K-8 teachers around the region with a tool to reward students with free tickets to a Spikes game based on whatever criteria the teacher would like to establish in his/her own classroom. Each teacher within the Spikes geographic region receives six (6) forms to distribute to students. The program encourages teachers to incentivize students based on excellence in a subject, dramatic improvement in a subject, or by showing classroom leadership. Any student chosen will be provided with a free ticket to one of three pre-determined 2013 Spikes home games (July 7, August 4 and August 25), and will be honored as part of a special pre-game, on-field recognition ceremony.

Books and Baseball Program presented by National Penn Bank
The Spikes and National Penn Bank have partnered for the Books and Baseball reading program for the 2013 season. This program encourages students to complete a reading program by rewarding them with free Spikes tickets upon completion. Participating students will receive a special bookmark to keep track of the books they read. Any participating student that reads four books under the supervision of their teacher or parent will earn one free ticket for a designated Books and Baseball game during the 2013 season (July 6, July 27 and August 24). At those games, participants will be honored from the field for their participation and completion of the programs. The program includes a free assembly and reading presentation with the National Penn Bank Nook Monster at any of the participating schools. Books and Baseball is designed for students in grades K-8.

Spikes Essay Contest
The Spikes Essay Contest is for K-8 students to creatively share their experiences and thoughts about the State College Spikes through pictures or essays. The contest is divided into three different grade levels: K-1, 2-4 and 5-8. Students in kindergarten through first grade are encouraged to include drawings along with one sentence for the theme “If I were Ike the Spike.” The second to fourth grade group will be asked to write a short essay entitled “If I coached the Spikes.” Fifth to eighth graders will be encouraged to write a 300 or less word essay entitled “If I could create a new food item for the Spikes, it would be (blank).” A winning essay will be chosen in each of the three age groups and those winners will earn tickets to a 2013 Spikes home game for their entire grade. The submission deadline for the Spikes Essay Contest is June 1.

There is no cost for school to participate in any 2013 Spikes school program. Teachers or administrators interested in participating in any of the State College Spikes school programs can contact Spikes Community Relations Manager David Wells at 814-272-1711 ext. 331 or dwells@statecollegespikes.com.

The Spikes, the Class-A Short-Season affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals, will open the club’s eighth season on Monday, June 17 at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park against the rival Williamsport Crosscutters (Philadelphia Phillies). The Spikes will be home for 38 regular season home dates between June 17 and August 30. Single-game tickets for the upcoming 2013 season will go on sale to the public starting Friday, April 26 at 4 p.m. Season Tickets, Value Plans, McDonald’s Flex Books and an array of group and corporate hospitality options are currently available and can be reserved by calling (814) 272-1711. All Spikes ticket options can be viewed at State College Spikes.com.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the State College Spikes. Click here to view the original story.

Nine Innings for Nature on April 21st

Includes Recycled Art Contest, plus Kids Eat Free

LakewoodBlueClaws_2013-04-05

 

LAKEWOOD, NJ – “Go Green” with the BlueClaws and New Jersey Natural Gas and celebrate Nine Innings for Nature on Sunday, April 21st at the team’s 1:05 pm game.

The sixth annual event, a celebration of environmental education thanks to New Jersey Natural Gas, will include several vendors displaying information about going green and energy efficiency.

Plus, 1,000 fans will receive a tree sapling on their way out of the ballpark.

Leading up to this year’s Nine Innings for Nature, fans can participate in a new Recycled Art Contest, with the winner receiving one night in a BlueClaws SkyBox for 20 people.

About the Contest

  • Entries must use recycled content – either recycled materials or items which can be recycled.  Materials may include metals, paper, clothing, rubber, glass and plastic. Permitted use of non-recyclable fasteners, such as glue or tape.
  • There are no limitations on size or format. However, we do ask that it be safe – no rough edges and it must be sturdy.

Eligible Participants

  • Kids grades K-8

Deadline:

  • All entries must be received by April 17th (delivered to FirstEnergy Park). Judging and prizes will be completed during the game.

Each Entry Must Include:

  • Contestant’s First and Last Name
  • Home Address
  • Home Phone Number
  • E-Mail Address
  • Materials Used to Construct Artwork

Among those that will have tables at the event: New Jersey Natural Gas, The Save Green Project, Jenkinsons, EZNERGY, Sea Bright Solar, Barnegat Bay Blitz DEP, Sustainable Jersey, and United States Green Building Council.

Free Tickets: Fans can earn a free ticket to the game in a number of ways. Anyone that rides their bike to the ballpark will get a free ticket, as will everyone whose last name is Green or Greene (must show ID at the sales window).

In addition, because the game is on a Sunday, regular BlueClaws Sunday promotions will be in place too. Kids Eat Free thanks to ShopRite and Kids Run the Bases after the game thanks to TD Bank.

Dr Bernard’s Kids Zone will be open, for free, courtesy of New Jersey Natural Gas from noon (when the gates open) to 1 pm.

To order tickets, call 732-901-7000 option 2 or click here to order online.

– BlueClaws –

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Lakewood BlueClaws. Click here to view the original story.

Scrappers Host Aluminum Can Recycling Drive

Half Price Box Seat For Six Can Donation

MahoningValleyScrappers_2012-07-17

 

The Mahoning Valley Scrappers along with Novelis announce an Aluminum Can Recycling Drive at Eastwood Field on Friday, July 27. The Scrappers play host to the Staten Island Yankees and anyone that brings a donation of at least six aluminum cans will receive a box seat at half price. Gates will open for at 6:00 pm and first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 pm. Novelis is the world leader in aluminum rolling, producing nearly 20 percent of the world’s flat-rolled aluminum products.

In addition to the Aluminum Can Recycling Drive, Novelis is proud to bring post-game fireworks. The fireworks extravaganza will take place following the game is free of charge with admission to the game.

Friday is also Faith night at Eastwood Field sponsored by the Nicholson Center. Throughout the night there will be faith-based entertainment.

Friday is the third game of a six game homestand the Scrappers have from July 25-30. Highlighting the homestand is an appearance by soap star “Brady Black” and Baseball Brawl III. Brady Black’s appearance is brought to you by Mayfair Laundromats and 21 WFMJ and Baseball Brawl II is courtesy of Northeast Martial Arts & Fitness, Corona Extra, Y-103, Labatt Blue and MCW Championship Wrestling.

For more information contact the Scrappers Front Office at (330)505-0000 or click here for tickets.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Mahoning Valley Scrappers. Click here to view the original story.

Community Kudos: Bob Brown Bear

C’s mascots Bob Brown Bear made stops in Burnaby and Richmond this weekend

Bob Brown Bear joined Burnaby Minor Softball on Saturday for a little action on the diamond.
Bob Brown Bear joined Burnaby Minor Softball on Saturday for a little action on the diamond.

(Scotiabank Field at Nat Bailey Stadium – Vancouver, BC) – The Vancouver Canadians and mascot Bob Brown Bear made a pair of community appearances on Saturday making stops in Burnaby and Richmond.

Bob was ready to roll up his sleeves and help our friends at Developmental Disabilities Association as they celebrated Earth Day out at the Vancouver Regional Recycling Facility. Taking care of the environment is very important to Bob Brown Bear as he has help the Canadians install new energy efficient lighting out at Scotiabank Field at Nat Bailey Stadium.

Did you know the Canadians will turn the lights off out at Scotiabank Field nine times this summer to help promote our BC Hydro Powersmart ‘Nooners at The Nat. Talk about saving energy!

Shortly after helping out in Richmond, Bob zipped over to ring in another Opening Day, this time out on the diamond cheering hard for our pals within Burnaby Minor Softball Association.

Softball (fastpitch) is one of Canada’s fastest growing sports with more than 100,000 kids from coast-to-coast playing games that are just as competitive and enjoyable as baseball.

The Vancouver Canadians and mascots Bob Brown Bear, Ms. BC Roll, Mr. Kappa Maki and the dreaded Chef Wasabi are proud to be a part of your community. To learn more about how you can have one of our mascots or representatives at your next community appearance, call the C’s at 604.872.5232 or get in touch with Community Relations Manager Jeff Holloway at jholloway@canadiansbaseball.com

The Vancouver Canadians open up the 2012 home schedule out at Scotiabank Field at Nat Bailey Stadium on Wednesday, June 20th at 7:05pm as the C’s welcome the Tri-City Dust Devils in a re-match of last year’s Northwest League Championship.

Tickets to Canadians Baseball are available today by calling 604.872.5232, visiting the Nat Bailey Stadium Box Office at 4601 Ontario Street in Vancouver, BC or by scrolling to the top of this story and clicking on our many ticket options.
This article originally appeared on the official website of the Vancouver Canadians. Click here to view the original story.

Earth Day Clean-Up

On April 29th, in recognition of Earth Day 2011, National Grid along with 50 members of the Staten Island Yankees and Staten Island Chamber of Commerce spent the day restoring the Alice Austen House in Rosebank. The Staten Island Yankees staff and mascot Scooter – The Holy Cow painted fences, while other volunteers cleaned up the beach area and removed trash and weeds from the area around one of Staten Island’s historic landmarks.

This year, National Grid participated in the “Billion Acts of Green” movement by sponsoring 12 community events that will display the Power of Action by helping restore and conserve the environment in their local communities. Staten Island was fortunate enough to be one of the company-wide community Earth Day events that took place throughout New York and New England.

All the volunteers wore Power of Action T-shirts, which were designed by elementary school students who participated in an Earth Day art contest sponsored by National Grid and the Green Education Foundation.

Scooter – The Holy Cow, Joe Rende of National Grid and Joe Riccutti of the Staten Island Yankees roll up there sleeves to get some painting done.

Reading for Rewards Program Reaches Over 100 Schools

The 2011 Reading for Rewards program, presented by Wells Fargo, concluded on Friday, March 4 with the final assembly at Wilson Elementary School in Corona, California. Over the course of the reading program, Thunder visited 13 different cities and worked with over 100 local elementary schools, totaling 103 live performances. All students attending a school performance received a “Go Thunder Green” book. Additionally, schools that missed out on an assembly will receive a Reading for Rewards bookmark that the students and their parents will fill out, return to their teachers and eventually redeem for two free Storm tickets for their accomplishments. In total over 65,000 bookmarks were distributed to local students.

Over the last 11 years, the Storm has been one of the top promoters of literacy in Riverside County. “It’s been an honor to watch the reading program evolve the way that it has,” said Storm President Dave Oster. “It started as an idea to help kids stay out of trouble while promoting literacy to elementary level students. We are very proud to see what good things have come from this program.” Oster also added, “We will continue to strive to be one of the leaders in promoting the language arts as well as the Going Green Movement.”

“Go Thunder Green: Thunder’s Guide to Going Green” was produced, written and illustrated by members of the Storm front office staff at the end of the 2008 baseball season. The book contains a five stanza introduction revealing Thunder’s efforts to help the world by “Going Green” as well as a poem that details Thunder’s eight tips to help our environment. “We reached more students this year than ever before,” said Storm Director of Mascot Operations Patrick Gardenier. “On behalf of Thunder, I would like to say thank you to everyone that was involved in this year’s reading program.” Students can redeem their ticket vouchers for the following dates: Sunday, April 10, Friday, April 22, Sunday, May 8, Wednesday, May 18 and Sunday, May 22.

ONEOK Field Adds Computerized Recycling Kiosks

The Tulsa Drillers announced today that they have partnered with PepsiCo and Waste Management, Inc. to locate two Dream Machine recycling kiosks within ONEOK Field. Dream Machines are computerized receptacles that include a personal reward system that allows consumers to collect and redeem points for each plastic bottle or can they recycle in the kiosks.

At ONEOK Field, one kiosk will be located on the main concourse behind home plate, while another will be placed in the outfield plaza in centerfield.

As part of the program, each item that is placed for recycling will help to provide funding to the Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities (EBV), a national program offering free, experiential training in entrepreneurship and small business management to post 9/11 veterans with disabilities.

In addition, fans that recycle through the computerized kiosks will receive coupons for valuable discounts and offers.

The Dream Machines are provided by GreenOps, LLC, a subsidiary of Waste Management , and operated by Greenopolis, the first interactive recycling system that brings together online and on street technologies and rewards people for recycling their beverage containers in kiosks by allowing them to receive awards when they visit Greenopolis.com.

PepsiCo and Waste Management are placing Dream Machines in high-traffic public venues such as stadiums, gas stations and public parks to capture the maximum amount of beverage containers from consumers. The goal is to increase the U.S. beverage container recycling rate from 34% to 50% by the year 2018.

At ONEOK Field, one kiosk will be located on the main concourse behind home plate, while another will be placed in the outfield plaza in centerfield.