The University of Texas has a campus-wide goal of zero waste by 2020. A big part of the campus waste footprint happens during Texas Football home games each fall. The Texas Athletics sustainability program and its "Bleed Orange, Live Green" campaign, sponsored by BASF, Coca-Cola, Fox 7 Austin, Republic Services with additional support from Organics by Gosh, ABM Custodial Services, 1883 Provisions Company, and the UT Club, set a goal of reaching zero waste at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium by the end of the 2017 football season.

In order to reach the zero waste goal, Texas Athletics staff and volunteers – with the help of Longhorn Nation – must divert 90 percent of waste bound for the landfill into either compost or recycling. "We have yet to reach zero waste at a Texas Football game. Our sustainability team will apply learnings from last season to improve best practices in stadium sustainability efforts," said Jeff Orth, Associate Athletics Director for Strategic Relations. "Traditionally, we have been below a 50 percent diversion rate at each home game. We expect to increase that percentage this season."

The sustainability team saw significant improvement during last year's baseball and softball seasons. For the first time ever, Texas Baseball was able to achieve a zero waste season. Using those best practices, the sustainability team will use the following strategies at Texas Football games this season to reach the ultimate goal of zero waste:

Increase the number of student volunteers from 350 to 600.

Increase student volunteer hours from 1,825 to 7,200.

Use these volunteers to educate fans and physically sort waste onsite.

Coordinate key dumpster placements and disposal procedures.

Achieve zero waste during the "Sustainable Saturday" football game (Oct. 7 vs. K-State)

Track and announce diversion rate for each football game via the Texas Athletics Sustainability Twitter account.

"We are really excited to make progress this football season. We consider achieving zero waste the best way for us to invest in the future through sustainability, on game day and every day," said Lauren Lichterman, Sustainability Coordinator.

If you are interested in learning more about the sustainability initiatives at Texas Athletics and how you can become involved, contact the sustainability team at sustainability@athletics.utexas.edu. Follow us on Twitter at @TxSportsSustain to get weekly updates and diversion rates.