Zero Waste Wolfpack Wins GameDay Recycling Challenge Award

The award-winning Zero Waste Wolfpack program has been honored for its gameday waste reduction efforts at Carter-Finley Stadium during the 2021 football season.

GameDay Recycling Challenge, a nationwide competition among universities to reduce and recycle the waste generated at home football games, has selected NC State as the winner of the Waste Minimization Per Capita category.

The Zero Waste Wolfpack program integrates fan experience, academic research, student leadership and community engagement to actively strive for zero waste during NC State Athletics’ events. A cornerstone of Athletics’ Sustainable Wolfpack initiative, the program recycled 54,958 pounds and composted 1,700 pounds during the 2021 home football season.

“This award highlights NC State’s commitment to waste reduction,” said Derek Liles, facility supervisor for Carter-Finley. “It wouldn’t be possible without our fans, volunteers and gameday operations team.”

The Waste Minimization Per Capita award is just one of three handed out to universities for the 2021 football season. Clemson University took home the Recycling Per Capita category and Ohio State University the Food Organics Per Capita category.

Zero Waste Wolfpack is a partnership with NC State Waste Reduction and Recycling, NC State Athletics, Wolfpack Sports Properties and GFL Environmental.