CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa -- The Cedar Rapids Kernels have stepped up to the plate to make their clean-up at Perfect Game Field a little "greener" this season. In an effort to divert organic waste from area landfills, the Cedar Rapids Baseball Club, Inc. will work with GreenRU to compost their "pre-consumer" concession waste.
Organic materials, such as food scraps, continue to be the largest component of municipal solid waste. More than 34 million tons of food waste is thrown away by U.S. homes and business, and food waste is now the fastest growing waste stream sent to Iowa landfills. Organic materials, when re-purposed into compost, make a nutrient rich soil amendment, and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Several Major League ballparks, including San Diego Padres' Petco Park and Seattle Mariners' Safeco Field, have implemented organic waste diversion as part of their commitment to sustainability and "Zero Waste" goals. The Cedar Rapids Kernels Perfect Game Field is likely one of the first ballparks in the Minor Leagues to implement a composting program.
Kernels general manager, Doug Nelson, says, "We feel this is a great initiative. Once we realized how simple it was to put into practice, it made perfect sense." Kernels food and beverage director, Debra Meier, also agreed that composting is the way to go, stating that, "The environmental benefits are well worth it."
GreenRU, a Chamness Company, is the first company in Iowa to provide full composting services, including education, training, collection containers and services. The program is designed to work with industry, schools, colleges, grocery stores, hospitals and institutions that are looking to better their environmental footprint and improve their sustainability efforts. For additional information, please call 855 RU-VERDE (855-788-3733), or visit www.greenRU.org online.
Organic materials, such as food scraps, continue to be the largest component of municipal solid waste. More than 34 million tons of food waste is thrown away by U.S. homes and business, and food waste is now the fastest growing waste stream sent to Iowa landfills. Organic materials, when re-purposed into compost, make a nutrient rich soil amendment, and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Several Major League ballparks, including San Diego Padres' Petco Park and Seattle Mariners' Safeco Field, have implemented organic waste diversion as part of their commitment to sustainability and "Zero Waste" goals. The Cedar Rapids Kernels Perfect Game Field is likely one of the first ballparks in the Minor Leagues to implement a composting program.
Kernels general manager, Doug Nelson, says, "We feel this is a great initiative. Once we realized how simple it was to put into practice, it made perfect sense." Kernels food and beverage director, Debra Meier, also agreed that composting is the way to go, stating that, "The environmental benefits are well worth it."
GreenRU, a Chamness Company, is the first company in Iowa to provide full composting services, including education, training, collection containers and services. The program is designed to work with industry, schools, colleges, grocery stores, hospitals and institutions that are looking to better their environmental footprint and improve their sustainability efforts. For additional information, please call 855 RU-VERDE (855-788-3733), or visit www.greenRU.org online.
