Knocking Waste Out of the Park

Picture this: The morning is a tranquil oasis, yet
brimming with the quiet anticipation of bustling activity
about to unfold. During this year's spring training
games, something remarkable happened at Tempe
Diablo Stadium. Among the cheers and excitement of
the crowd, a dedicated team of GreenLight Solutions
volunteers called the Green Team was hard at work
throughout 16 separate games. Not on the field, but in
the stands, and outside the stadium tackling the
challenge of waste management with passion and
purpose.

The sun is shining, fans fill the stands, and the anticipation of another thrilling game hangs in the air. But amidst the buzz of excitement, there's a silent army of volunteers clad in neon green, armed with gloves and recycling bins, ready to make a difference. For fans getting their snacks, beverages, and enjoying the games, properly disposing of waste throwing the wrappers may not seem like a lot. Still, due to the massive scale and misunderstanding of waste management, this is where the magic begins.

The Green Team Initiative is more than just a
volunteer program—it's a movement dedicated to
minimizing waste and promoting sustainability in our
communities. And at Tempe Diablo Stadium, it's in full
swing. With a goal to divert the stadium's waste, these
volunteers are on a mission to turn trash into treasure.
From the first pitch to the final inning, the Green Team
volunteers are on the front lines, engaging with fans
and educating them on the importance of recycling,
composting, and reducing waste. Armed with
knowledge and enthusiasm, they intercept trash
destined for the landfill, sorting it into bins for
recycling, composting, and even food reuse. Every
bottle, every wrapper, every leftover hot dog
bun—they all find a new purpose, thanks to the
dedication of the Green Team.

With our volunteers combining a total of 357
hours, what does all this hard work amount to? The
numbers don't lie: 15 tons of waste diverted through
recycling, composting, food reuse, upcycling of scrap
metal and e-waste, and diversion of grease.

That's 15 tons of potential landfill space saved, 333 meals provided to those in need, and a staggering 43 tons of CO2 emissions avoided. It's more than just trash—it's a tangible impact on our environment and our community.
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As the sun sets on another day at Tempe Diablo Stadium, the legacy of the GreenLight Solutions Initiative lives
on. Through their passion, dedication, and tireless effort, these volunteers have proven that when it comes to
sustainability, every small action counts. So here's to the Green Team volunteers, the unsung heroes of the
ballpark, who remind us that with a little teamwork and a lot of heart, we can make a world of difference, one
game at a time.

Thank You to Our Sponsors!

Keep Tempe Beautiful: Joe Forte, Paul Quinn

Thank You To Our Partners!

City of Tempe Community Services Department: Jerry Hall Jr. 
Keep Tempe Beautiful: Dawn Ratcliffe, Joe Forte, Paul Quinn
Legends: Greg Freed
Plan B Facility Services: Ruben Barraza
R.City: J.D. Hill
City of Tempe Municipal Utilities Department: Andrew Harmsen & Rick Neiner
City of Tempe Transportation and Sustainability Department: Brianne Fisher

Thank You To The Green Team!

Kindin Parry
Emily Ferruzzi
Maribel Flores
Sam Bundy
Megan Nagle
Nia Hola
Aimee Maricinko
Felicia ShuppAnne Koshuta
Anne Koshuta
Aiden Pavlovic
Ryan Wardlow
Cassidy Howell
Mariano Farias
Isidro Carbajal Cordova
Wes Burress
Holden Feagler
Mike White
Israel Orona
Yasmin Calderon Feliciano
Alen Jakupovic
Macie Mattocks
Larissa De Matos
​Kate Anson

​Nicole Cordero
Terri Thorson
Avery Branham
Charlotte Robinson
Nicholas Wise
Lucia Reinhart
Collins Carrington
Dillion Donaldson
Kourtney Lien
Cole Irvin
Cy Schmaltz
Jillian Sedgwick
Sumedh Chandi
Kendall Mcleod
Alex Reiman
Levi John
Austin Dunkleberger
Jed Brody
Greg Mayer
Leonidas Panopoulos
Jay Cruz
Ashley Wesiman
​​Eriea R

Mike Rague
Chandler Vega
Daiquiri Beebe
Sam Esparza
Quinn Rogers
Haley Ratcliffe
Andrea Ramirez
Nicholas Jancosek
Micheal Hola
Shy Sayadi
Justo Cruz
David Faught
Emery Osegueda
Kuan-Ru Liou
William Baer
Erica R
Ryan Brown
Dan Bain
Dan Leaven
Ethan Walker
Joseph Weeks
Lizeth Mendoza Vargas
Ty Cowie

Author: Ty Cowie

Ty Cowie is a freshman attending Arizona State University studying Manufacturing Engineering. Ty is
an Green Event Service Assistant with GreenLight Solution with the purpose of trying to be a part of
something that is impactful to the community and to learn what it takes to run a non profit. Ty is really
interested in the environment and sustainability on how to change current world problems.

Connect with me on LinkedIn

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