Nashville Soccer Club, in cooperation with Urban Green Lab (UGL) and many corporate sponsors, today announced the introduction of “Greener Goals Starting XI,” a ground-breaking sustainability project focused at solving key environmental issues. This multi-year agreement will assist the city of Nashville reach its long-term sustainability goals, such as reducing food waste by 50% by 2030 and developing sustainable practices that can be replicated globally.
“Through the Greener Goals Starting XI, Nashville SC and our sponsors are setting a bold example, demonstrating how coordinated, planned action can address urgent environmental concerns, beginning with food waste. Nashville generates twice as much trash as the national average and recycles half of it, therefore it is our job to do our part and use our platform to make a difference in Middle Tennessee. The Greener Goals Starting XI members are working together not only to fulfill local sustainability goals, but also to inspire a global movement for change, according to Dan Farrell, VP of Corporate Partnerships at Nashville SC.
Urban Green Lab, a local 501c3 charity focused on sustainability education, will be the official community partner, providing educational tools to support the program and ensuring alignment with citywide priorities and best practices. Their role includes advising Nashville SC, training business sponsors, and funding community-based initiatives that educate fans and the community.
Food waste is a pressing issue in Nashville, where up to 40% of food is discarded annually. One in eight Nashvillians faces food insecurity, while discarded food contributes to planet-warming methane emissions in landfills. This waste accelerates climate change and food insecurity disrupts natural ecosystems, and disproportionately impacts vulnerable populations, particularly communities of color.
In the first phase of the project, which started with the club and its members gathering for an educational discussion led by UGL in the lead-up to Earth Day this past April, the Greener Goals Starting XI will take action in:
- Back-of-house composting: This project, launched on April 27 to coincide with Nashville SC’s Earth Day match at GEODIS Park with The Compost Company, collects organic waste and processes it into compost to benefit local agriculture and reduce food waste in landfills. GEODIS Park has composted nearly 5,000 pounds of food waste, saving 2.4 tons of greenhouse gasses, enough to modify an acre of soil (or a soccer field). GEODIS Park has partnered with Justice Industries to recycle glass bottles.
- Food Rescue Operations: In partnership with One Generation Away, a nonprofit organization that has been feeding people since 2013, unsold and unused food from GEODIS Park events is now being redistributed to those in need in an effort to guarantee that no food goes to waste and to boost community food security. Through this campaign, 900 pounds of food have been saved and donated so far.
- Concourse Recycling Enhancements: With the help of Coca-Cola Consolidated, WM and TDOT, the club is actively working on improving waste sorting and recycling at facilities installed throughout the concourse, which coupled with educational campaigns, will aim to increase fan participation in recycling efforts at GEODIS Park.
- Educational Campaigns: The Greener Goals Starting XI members will look to participate in a program aimed at educating their communities on reducing food waste at home and in businesses. This program will also be extended to Nashville SC’s First Team and its Youth Academy.
The Greener Goals Starting XI members will conduct a one-year review led by UGL in April 2025 to evaluate the initiative’s impact and identify opportunities for expansion, as they look to continue making significant strides in reducing food waste, improving recycling practices, and educating the community about sustainable living.
List of Greener Goals Starting XI members (in alphabetical order):
- adidas
- Coca-Cola Consolidated
- GEODIS
- Jacobsen
- Kelsan
- Levy
- LP Building Solutions
- Renasant Bank
- TDOT
- Urban Green Lab
- WM
Visit Nashville SC’s Greener Goals Starting XI for more information and ways to get involved with sustainability efforts.
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