Recently the NBA team, the Trail Blazers, achieved LEED Gold Status for their sports facility, the Rose Garden. According to a survey of 50 professional sports teams, about 80 percent of them plan on increasing their environmental sustainability programs. The Trail Blazers were the first professional sports team to earn this recognition and they hope that their initiative will inspire others to follow suit.

They scored points with their meticulous recycling program, the ease of alternative transportation, purchasing decisions, and commitment to health of fans and employees with locally sourced food and environmentally friendly cleaning products.

The organization has a reported 70 percent diversion rate from landfill waste. This extraordinary achievement is due to their recycling and food-waste composting program. The Senior Vice President, Sarah Mensah, even joked that their office composting contributed to an aroma that proves their office environment is one of a kind.

They have made the switch to 95 percent compostable containers and garbage liners made from recycled materials. Their smart lighting installment on the event level saves them roughly 400,000 gigawatt hours per year.

The Trail Blazers plan on celebrating this achievement with their fans at their annual Green Game on April 9, 2010.

What is LEED?

LEED is a certification dreamed up by the U.S. Green Building Council. It stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. It’s based on a point system over 5 key areas: site, materials, water efficiency, energy efficiency, and indoor air quality. Stay tuned to NGN for our news feature that will make you an expert in LEED buildings.