AUSTIN, Texas (September 27, 2024) – In a groundbreaking achievement, Q2 Stadium, home to Austin FC, Austin’s first Major League Soccer (MLS) team, has earned its Total Resource Use and Efficiency (TRUE) certification, making it the first soccer-specific stadium and fifth sports venue worldwide to achieve this honor. MLS is a men’s professional soccer league sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation, which represents the sport’s highest level in the United States. This landmark certification underscores Q2 Stadium’s commitment to sustainability, driven by strategic planning and operational support from Okapi Environmental Services (OES).
TRUE Certification, developed by Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI), recognizes organizations that implement comprehensive zero waste policies, achieve an average diversion rate of 90% or greater from landfills and adhere to a stringent set of waste reduction criteria. OES played a pivotal role in guiding Q2 Stadium through the certification process, from establishing sustainability goals to implementing innovative procedures.
OES’ dedicated team of credentialed TRUE Advisors provided hands-on consulting, connecting Austin FC officials with vendors who share a commitment to sustainability. Their collaborative efforts led to the creation of an on-site waste processing facility, a mini Materials Recovery Facility (MRF), designed to maximize the efficiency of sorting and recycling operations at Q2 stadium. This facility has enabled Q2 Stadium to achieve and maintain an impressive diversion rate of over 90% from the landfill.
“Okapi has been especially great as we’ve really formalized our zero waste goal. Their team is made up of certified TRUE advisors so we really utilized them to help us with what all the credits mean for TRUE, what we could accomplish and how to get all the TRUE documentation together,” said Nick Otte, Senior Director of Stadium Operations at Austin FC. “Long term, the data they’ve collected for us along with their knowledge on the EcoVisor dashboard has been a really helpful tool.”
As the Official Waste and Recycling Partner of Austin FC, Texas Disposal Systems (TDS) has also been instrumental in advancing Q2 Stadium’s sustainability initiatives. Key accomplishments include:
- Eco Stations: Guiding the selection of waste receptacles, called Eco Stations, that offer clear sorting instructions for fans, staff and athletes. Notably, the trash section is strategically smaller than the recycling and compost sections, encouraging fans to adopt sustainable disposal practices.
- Trash Goalies: Providing staff to serve as Trash Goalies at the Eco Stations, offering fans real-time guidance on proper waste disposal to enhance their participation in sustainability efforts.
- Educational Initiatives: Producing an award-winning video featuring a soccer ball navigating through the stadium, visually demonstrating how to sort items into the correct receptacles. This engaging approach helps fans easily identify where to dispose of their waste.
In addition to these initiatives, OES provided a thorough analysis of Q2 Stadium’s waste handling processes and developed a comprehensive guide for measuring sustainability data, helping the stadium track and quantify its success.
“This recognition is a testament to the leadership of Austin FC and Q2 Stadium in championing environmentally responsible practices,” said Matt Hutchings, Chief Operating Officer at OES. “We hope this achievement inspires other sports and entertainment venues to enhance their sustainability efforts and pursue meaningful certifications. Okapi is committed to supporting facilities across the nation in their journey towards waste diversion and sustainability excellence.”
For more information about Okapi Environmental Services and their sustainability initiatives, please visit consulting.okapienvironmental.com.
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About Q2 Stadium
Q2 Stadium is the state-of-the art 20,738-seat, soccer-specific venue that features a natural grass playing surface and a signature canopy structure offering shade and coverage for all seats, while providing an unequaled event atmosphere. Approximately 30% of Q2 Stadium seats (6,000 seats) feature breathable mesh seating technology, making the stadium home to the most breathable mesh seats in a major league venue in the world. Q2 Stadium will host the Major League Soccer All-Star Game in 2025.
Q2 Stadium also features cutting-edge lighting capabilities as the first stadium in the world to install 100% of the field lighting system with tunable RGB LED lights. Q2 Stadium opened in June 2021, when Austin FC played its first MLS match at home on June 19 against the San Jose Earthquakes. Q2 Stadium received LEED Gold Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council in November 2021, recognizing the commitment to sustainability undertaken in the stadium’s construction and design.
About Texas Disposal Systems
Founded by Bob Gregory, Texas Disposal Systems (TDS) is one of the largest independently owned solid waste collection, processing, and disposal companies in the nation. Its fully integrated facility incorporates solid waste disposal, compost production and recycling operations. TDS provides the highest quality and most environmentally friendly services in the best interests of our customers, employees, and the community. Learn more about how TDS helps communities, organizations and schools manage and divert waste to beneficial uses at www.TexasDisposal.com.
Media contact: [email protected]
About Okapi Environmental Services LLC (OES)
OES is a management company with Bob Gregory as the sole member providing executive and support management services to companies owned and controlled by Gregory. These companies include Texas Disposal Systems, Inc., Texas Disposal Systems Landfill, Inc., TDS Land Management, L.P., TDS Environmental Services L.L.C., Texas Landfill Management L.L.C., Txalloy Inc., Creedmoor Pipeline L.L.C., Okapi Leasing L.L.C., and BGICO, LLC. OES will focus on the responsible, profitable growth of each of the companies in its various business ventures. Learn more about OES at www.OkapiEnvironmental.com
Media contact: [email protected]
