The 2022 Military Bowl was presented the Bowl Season Sustainability Award presented by REPREVE® recognizing the Bowl’s efforts going above and beyond its normal requirements to make a difference to the environment, the community and its fans. The award was presented Wednesday during the Bowl Season Besties Awards Ceremony at the association’s annual meeting in Nashville.
This past December, for the first time, the Military Bowl partnered with Annapolis Green with the goal of producing zero waste at the Military Bowl Tailgate Festival and eliminating all waste throughout the game in hospitality areas.
The Bowl’s efforts led to 780 pounds of bottles and cans being delivered to a local materials recovery facility, where they subsequently were purchased by a manufacturer and made into REPREVE polyester, the material used to produce much of the Military Bowl’s merchandise.
Also, with the focus of creating an eco-friendly event, other than plastic and aluminum that was recycled, everything used in the tailgate and hospitality areas was certified compostable. That led to the collection of 1.5 tons of waste being diverted from landfills and turned into compost by Veteran Compost.
Veteran Compost employed a proprietary technique and natural decomposition to process these items, plus all food waste, into a soil amendment that benefits local farms and gardens. Bowl partners Katcef Brothers Inc. and Mission BBQ, caterers Bo Brooks and Main & Market, as well as stadium vendors also participated in the effort.
“The Military Bowl took a big step this year in its sustainability efforts and it is wonderful to be recognized among our peer group for this initiative,” Military Bowl Foundation President & Executive Director Steve Beck said. “We thank Annapolis Green, Veteran Compost and all of the partners for aiding in this initiative and look forward to enhancing our sustainability efforts at our next game in December.”
