Alcoa Foundation Helps Score a Win for Sustainability at 2012 Super Bowl
- More than 144 tons of material recycled, including 25 tons of
aluminum beverage containers -
A dedicated team has spent the weeks after last month′s Super Bowl
tabulating the amount of materials recycled during the big game in
Indianapolis ? more than 144 tons, in fact.
The Indiana Recycling Coalition (IRC), with financial support from the
Alcoa Foundation, helped organize an effort to recycle materials at the
Super Bowl and its numerous related events. The IRC worked closely with
the 2012 Super Bowl Environmental Programs Committee to ensure that
there were adequate recycling locations for fans to recycle their
beverage containers and other materials.
Carey Hamilton, the executive director of the IRC, said a total of
144.03 tons of recyclable materials were collected from Super
Bowl-related venues between Jan. 23 and Feb. 9, 2012, including Lucas
Oil Stadium, the NFL Experience/Indiana Convention Center, the Super
Bowl Village, the ESPN facility, Banker's Life Fieldhouse, and NFL
Compounds.
She said this total included about 25 tons of aluminum from beverage
containers.
Hamilton, who also served as the co-chair of the Indianapolis 2012 Super
Bowl Host Committee's Environmental Programs, said the results were a
victory for sustainability.
'The great success of the 2012 Super Bowl recycling effort is the result
of 2 1/2 years of planning, the outstanding dedication of countless
volunteers, staff and committee members, as well as support from a few
key donors, including the Alcoa Foundation,? Hamilton said.
The Alcoa Foundation, she said, helped make recycling available at
several Super Bowl related venues outside of the Super Bowl Village.
Also, Alcoa Foundation funds were used to secure necessary supplies for
the Village recycling program.
The Alcoa Foundation′s investment to the IRC was specifically focused on
increasing awareness about the infinite recyclability of aluminum
beverage cans, while also encouraging greater awareness about 'away from
home? recycling.
Paula Davis, President of Alcoa Foundation, congratulated the IRC for
its work to increase recycling rates in the state of Indiana and for the
important role it played nationally with the Super Bowl′s sustainability
efforts.
'In the U.S., we have an enormous opportunity to improve our
environmental footprint by recycling more of what we consume,? she said.
'When recycled, a can of soda is back on the shelf in just 60 days.
We′ve set a strategic goal to increase U.S. recycling rates of aluminum
beverage cans to 75 percent by 2015.
'We are proud to support the Super Bowl recycling initiative and partner
with the IRC to achieve that goal.?
Employees from Alcoa′s facilities in the state of Indiana ? Warrick
Operations near Newburgh, Lafayette, LaPorte and Lafayette -- helped
assist the IRC with the work that the statewide organization performed
through assistance from Alcoa Foundation.
One impressive result from Alcoa′s partnership with IRC is that recycled
materials edged out trash at the Super Bowl Village. Hamilton said the
Village logged 52.92 tons of trash and 65.46 tons of recyclables, a
decisive win for recycling and sustainability.
And that′s a score that everyone can celebrate, regardless of the team
they rooted for on game day.
About Alcoa Foundation
Alcoa Foundation is one of the largest corporate foundations in the
U.S., with assets of approximately US$446 million. Founded more than 50
years ago, Alcoa Foundation has invested more than US$550 million since
1952. In 2011, Alcoa Foundation contributed more than US$20 million to
nonprofit organizations throughout the world, building innovative
partnerships, engaging its people to improve the environment and
educating tomorrow′s leaders. The work of Alcoa Foundation is further
enhanced by Alcoa′s thousands of employee volunteers who share their
energy, passion and purpose to make a difference in the communities
where Alcoa operates. Through the company′s signature Month of Service
program, in 2011, a record 56 percent of Alcoa employees took part in
more than 1,200 events across 24 countries, reaching 81,000 children,
serving 9,000 meals, planting 34,000 trees and supporting 1,800
nonprofit organizations. More information can be found at www.alcoafoundation.com
About Alcoa
Alcoa is the world′s leading producer of primary aluminum, fabricated
aluminum and alumina. In addition to inventing the modern-day aluminum
industry, Alcoa innovation has been behind major milestones in the
aerospace, automotive, packaging, building and construction, commercial
transportation, consumer electronics and industrial markets over the
past 120 years. Among the solutions Alcoa markets are flat-rolled
products, hard alloy extrusions, and forgings, as well as Alcoa ? wheels,
fastening systems, precision and investment castings, and building
systems in addition to its expertise in other light metals such as
titanium and nickel-based super alloys. Sustainability is an integral
part of Alcoa′s operating practices and the product design and
engineering it provides to customers. Alcoa has been a member of the Dow
Jones Sustainability Index for ten consecutive years and approximately
75 percent of all of the aluminum ever produced since 1888 is still in
active use today. Alcoa employs approximately 61,000 people in 31
countries across the world. More information can be found at www.alcoa.com.
Alcoa Inc.
Jim Beck, 812-853-4557 (office)
812-853-4557 (cell)
jim.beck@alcoa.com
or
Alcoa
Inc.
Libby Archell, 212-836-2719
Libby.archell@alcoa.com
