Superbowl Edition: SoFi Stadium and Sustainability
Sports stadiums/arenas are some of the largest consumers of energy, water and materials. As such, they represent one of the most exciting venues for Sustainability/Climate Action as teams can really innovate on all fronts (energy usage, water usage, waste management, recycling, materials management, carbon impact/decarbonization, responsible sourcing, transportation etc) in order to reap environmental as well as financial benefits. There are great examples all over -- from football/soccer to hockey to the NFL. With the Superbowl coming up on Sunday, however, it's worth looking at the Rams’ SoFi Stadium, which is also home to the Chargers.
Newer stadiums like SoFi obviously hold a major advantage in terms of “inbuilt Sustainability and Innovation, and that’s certainly the case with SoFi Stadium. Working with the natural environment and unique geography of Southern California, the architecture firm (HKS) sought to create an “embedded object” that creates harmony between the natural and built environments while using “passive ventilation and daylighting strategies” and tackling one of the critical challenges in California (water scarcity). The result is one of the greenest stadiums in the NFL featuring the following:
Integrating Nature & Climate-Responsive Ecosystem — The nature of Southern California is wove throughout the stadium design. HKS sought to “ transect of Southern California, use elements and plantings from different areas and apply them to sides of the stadium based on those microclimates.” The noted the following: “We explored and celebrated California’s unique geography and created smaller ecological areas. Featuring plants from the Mediterranean biome, which exists in several regions around the world (including Southern California) that share similar climates, the landscape palette is diverse and carefully planned to contribute to a functional, healthy ecosystem. The landscape design spreads out like a pinwheel from the stadium, giving each side a unique personality with one of five different plant communities found in Southern California that all fall under the umbrella of the Mediterranean biome. Montane evergreen trees and dark foliage populate the East Canyon while the West Canyon, which is closer to the ocean, emulates Chaparral coastal bluffs. Desert elements can be seen on the stadium’s north side, and the lake park is surrounded with sycamore trees and tall grasses characteristic of Riparian ecosystems. Throughout the entire site, climate-responsive plants from other Mediterranean biome regions will sustain the local ecosystem even in the face of harsh environmental changes predicted for the future.”
Per the SoFi stadium website:
Waste Management and Landfill Diversion
Responsible material and food service sourcing to support waste management goals.
Maximize diversion of materials from the landfill through recycling, composting, food waste biodigestion, reuse, and donations.
Food recovery and donation programs.
Guest and staff engagement to educate and assist in proper disposal of materials.
Continue to abide by the Hollywood Park Specific Plan: Stadium Alternative Mitigation Measures for proper disposal and recycling of construction and demolition waste.
Carbon Impact and Transportation
Alternative transportation incentives and programs:
Communication of public transportation options (Inglewood Park and Ride, LA Metro and Gardena Transit), Electric shuttles, EV charging stations, bike valet
Establish and track carbon footprint of venue operation (and additional scope if desired)
KPI tracking related to Scope 1 and Scope 2 carbon emissions
Responsible Sourcing
Establish Sustainable Purchasing Policy with a method to track adherence.
Policy to have guidance on:
Compostable and recyclable serviceware
MBE/DBE/WBE companies
LEED guidelines including ongoing consumables and durable goods
F&B criteria with guidance on
local (80% within 250 miles)
healthy (vegetarian, vegan, gluten free options)
sustainably sourced food products
Promotional giveaway items (local, made in USA, not plastic)
Janitorial and sanitation supplies
Reduce or eliminate VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and air pollutants (particulate matter).
Canopy — A 19-acre transparent and energy efficient EFTE canopy used in other structures including Bayern Munich's Allianz Arena. As Chloe Clark notes: “SoFi stadium does not have solar panels, but the roof canopy has been built with similar energy savings in mind. The roof of the stadium has been built with a fluorine-based plastic called ETFE – ethylene tetrafluoroethylene. ETFE makes a significant contribution towards green construction and sustainability. The roof comprises 302 ETFE panels, including 46 mechanized vents that allow the heat generated by more than 70,000 spectators to dissipate, according to Pfeifer Structures. The properties of ETFE include its ability to remain unaffected by UV light, atmospheric pollution and adverse weathering, thus resulting in a long life expectancy. The manufacturing process itself is also environmentally friendly. ETFE is a very lightweight material which translates into the overall weight of the supporting structure. Using fewer materials saves fabrication and transportation needs; thus, a reduced carbon footprint.”
Water Management — The Recycled Water Project is a public-private partnership that helps to save drinking water by using recycled water – approx. 26m gallons water per year. SoFi Stadium has partnered with the West Basin Municipal Water District, a wholesale water agency that provides imported drinking water to 17 cities and unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County throughout its 185 square mile service are. The West Basin “produces and distribute recycled water for landscape irrigation, maintenance and aesthetic purposes at the landmark sports and entertainment destination, including Lake Park and the lush foliage encircling the amazing arena.” Combined with several recycled water connections nearby, the West Basin project will provide 26 million gallons of recycled water per year, saving an equal amount of drinking water for the region. Meanwhile, the Sofi Stadium’s “Lake” feature uses 11.4m gallons of recycled water and serves as an irrigation reservoir for more than 20 surrounding areas.
Another worthy mention in terms of “green” NFL arenas is the Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta, which received a platinum Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certificate. The stadium consumes almost 30% less than the average energy consumption for arenas, and 47% less water. By comparison, the Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium apparently consumes as much energy as the country of Liberia though it should be noted that is based on peak demand on game-day when the 80,000-seat stadium may consume up to 10 megawatts of electricity. As B/R notes, “AT&T Stadium isn't using up a year's supply of electricity normally garnered by one country. They are simply using far more than Liberia does at one time.”
That said, the gold standard for American stadiums is Seattle’s Climate Pledge Arena – the home of the Seattle Storm and the newest NHL franchise, the Seattle Kraken. Climate Pledge Arena “employs 100% sustainable energy, all electric operations and composting and recycling programs, among other environmentally-friendly practices”. Their ice hockey rink is “made up of recycled rainwater, captured in a gigantic 15,000 gallon underground cistern.”
EDITOR’S NOTE: TBG Purpose is a leading Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)/Sustainability partner for corporations, institutions and governments. We provide an integrated set of solutions and enable organizations to meet their Sustainability and ESG objectives in line with the SDGs and global reporting standards and frameworks. Get in touch with our team for a free TruePurpose Sustainability Assessment and find out your TruePurpose Score.
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