Going Green: Four Tips for Sports Fans

[nmeyer]

When I think fall, I think of falling leaves, apple cider, and, of course, football!  No matter the season or the sport, you can always find ways to make your favorite events a little more environmentally friendly.

For all the fanatics out there, I’ve gathered a few great tips you can use to make your next game a little more environmentally friendly—and FUN!

1. Ditch the disposable: Replace paper and plastic with reusable flatware when tailgating.  It’s both eco- and wallet-friendly, so you can spend your money on what really matters: more food and drinks … or even better seats!
2. Choose organic face paint: Getting your “game face” on is a tried-and-true tradition, but be careful which paints you select for your transformation.  The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics raised the alarm when it discovered that many commercial face paints contain lead and other heavy metals like nickel, cobalt, and chromium.  Avoid these health hazards by selecting organic face paints or by making your own.  By mixing a little cocoa butter and natural food colorings, you can create an environmentally-friendly option that’s the perfect shade of crimson, green, or (in my case), Carolina blue!
3. Select smart transportation: Organize a carpool or use public transit when going to/from the game.  If you’re lucky enough to live in a college town, try walking to the stadium. Transportation greatly contributes to air pollution and smog, so you can feel good about keeping the skies clear—and saving a bundle on parking fees.
4. Reuse, recycle that beer: In the unlikely event that you have some leftover brew, check out these 21 inventive ways  to repurpose it.  Turns out you can use it as a cleaning product, hair conditioner, or an eco-friendly pesticide.  Bonus points if you toast to a local brewery or buy organic.

How have you made your game day greener?  Let us know by commenting below.  DING!  You are now free to be green!