Astros Play Green
The Astros are proud to be a leader in the efforts to help preserve the environment. In 2008, we launched the Play GreenTM campaign and we continue to lead the way in Earth-friendly initiatives in the greening of sports movement.
Get to know your 2009 Astros Play Green Ambassadors, Hunter Pence and Geoff Blum!
What do you do to stay green?
Hunter Pence: "Growing up we always recycled items such as cans and plastic milk cartons. We had a garden where we grew our own vegetables. Today, I always unplug charges, turn off lights and recycle things like aluminum cans. I use coffee mugs and dishes vs. disposable cups."
What have you done and how important is it for you to be green?
Geoff Blum: "It is very important. Being from California, me and my family are very eco-conscious. We make sure our appliances are turned off. We try to conserve energy and water by doing things like doing the laundry at night, taking quick showers. We turn off the lights when we leave the room. And, we don't use plastic bags at the grocery store, we use shopping bags. We teach our kids to be conscious of living a green lifestyle."
In My Words: Hunter Pence
The Astros and FS Houston Celebrate Earth Day with Habitat for Humanity
The new homeowners, The Robert's family, and the Astros
staff cut the ribbon on the new home.
The Houston Astros launched the 2009 season-long Play Green campaign on Earth Day, April 22, building on the team's ongoing "green" efforts started in 2008. Astros and Fox Sports Houston employees teamed up with Habitat for Humanity to help build an energy efficient home for a family in need. Astros Play Green Ambassador Hunter Pence was joined by FSH broadcasters Jim Deshaies and Bill Brown at the build site located in Umland Park, a Habitat for Humanity subdivision.
Lawanda and Kierra Roberts are honored before the game
on August 8 with Fox Sports Houston Sr. VP & General
Manager Steve Tello, Hunter Pence and Junction Jack.
On July 1, Astros Front Office staff went back to the Habitat for Humanity House to landscape the front yard. When the house was complete, the Astros staff went back for a home dedication. Lawanda and Kierra Roberts were given their keys to their new home. Later in the evening, the Astros honored Lawanda and Kierra in a pre-game ceremony with Astros Play Green Ambassador Hunter Pence.
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMUNITY GROUP OF THE WEEK
As part of the ongoing effort to raise awareness on environmental issues, during each homestand the Astros featured an environmental community group of the week.
2009 ASTROS PLAY GREENTM INITIATIVES
- Used "green" features during the suite renovation. Green features used during the suite renovation included Silestone, post-consumer carpet and glass tile. Plus, recycled approx. 11,600 pounds of aluminum that was demolished during the suite renovation.
- Created a strategic partnership with William the Garbage Truck and Crew that begins teaching and raising conservation awareness to young children in a compelling, attention-getting, knowledge retaining manner. Astros' players will make school visits to read William is Going Green and carry the conservation message into the schools to educate young children.
- Offering fans the opportunity to use virtual ticket stock where they can load their game ticket to their credit card or Texas driver's license and bring it to the game instead of printed ticket stock.
- Astros Team Store has two "Reduce. Reuse. Recycle." tote bags available. One bag will be given to fans as a gift with purchases of $50 or more. The other bag will be given to fans as a gift with purchases of $100 or more. If you bring back either bag throughout the year to use at the Astros Team Store, you will receive an additional 10% off your purchase. Bags are also available for individual purchase for $1.85 and $3.70.
- Astros Team Store will feature a different "green" product each month throughout the season. This month's featured product is recycled wood and beaded jewelry.
- Changed Astros promotional vehicle to Chevy Tahoe hybrid.
- Incorporated environmentally-friendly items into the promotional schedule. Items include giveaways such as caps made out of 100% recycled PETE and reusable grocery tote bags.
- Offering a full organic menu to suite and conference center clients.
- Continuing the "Environmental Community Group of the Week" started last season. During every Tuesday home game, the Astros invite an environmentally friendly group to the ballpark in recognition of their significant impact within Houston.
- Ongoing participation in the Adopt-a-Block program.
- Partnered with Keep Houston Beautiful, HLS Landscaping, Devin Christison and Tree Town USA on "Home Runs for Trees" program. For every home run an Astros player hits at Minute Maid Park, a tree is planted in Houston.
Did you know? Minute Maid Park currently...
- Uses bio-diesel fuel in select grounds crew equipment which is supplied by AgriBioFuels for research being conducted by Sam Houston State University.
- Composts field grass clippings to use as fertilizer.
- Uses partial post-consumer recycled materials on sales and marketing collateral.
- Recycles grease that later becomes fuel.
- Uses post-consumer-content napkins at all ballpark concession stands and restaurants and post-consumer-content paper towels in all restrooms.
- Uses "green" fluorescent bulbs in all possible light fixtures and eco-friendly ballasts in the ballpark lighting system.
- Has 125 recycle bins located throughout the ballpark for fans to recycle plastic, aluminum, and cardboard. In 2008, 200 tons of waste was recycled.
- Uses only eco-friendly, safe chemicals on the field, including seaweed-based fertilizers on the turfgrass.
- Uses a moisture meter that tells the grounds crew specifically how much moisture is in the soil on the field so that they don't over-apply irrigation water.
- Features a roof that is designed with dynamic braking which puts energy back into the power grid when it stops.
- Uses eco-friendly plastic bags at all ballpark merchandise locations.
- Uses Green Seal Certified cleaning products.
- Has a new Firestone Ultraply TPO roof membrane which is energy efficient. Ultraply TPO exceeds the EPA Energy Star requirements for highly reflective membranes.
The Houston Astros AT&T Conference Center at Minute Maid Park hosts hundreds of events and more than 1,500 groups and companies each calendar year and also contributes to the campaign by:
- Providing each event and meeting with menu options that use source meats and produce from local Texas farms and ranches.
- Using post-consumer recyclable or reusable service-ware in all meal services.
- Providing each meeting client with a reusable tote.
- Monitoring and evaluating all waste generated in the conference center facility.
HOME RUNS FOR TREES
Astros front office staff and Geoff Blum plant trees
as part of the Home Runs for Trees program.The Astros again teamed up with Keep Houston Beautiful, HLS Landscaping, Devin Christison and Tree Town USA on the "Home Runs for Trees" program. For every home run an Astros player hit at Minute Maid Park in 2009, a tree was planted in Houston.
Astros Infielder Geoff Blum and front office staff planted 29 trees along the Missouri Kansas Texas/Southern Pacific Rails to Trails section located at Sawyer Heights Street on June 24 to represent the home runs during the month of April and May.
On September 10th, Astros outfielder Hunter Pence joined members of the Astros staff at Weiss Park on North Post Oak Lane in Houston to plant 20 trees representing the home runs hit at Minute Maid Park during June and July.
Green Education Program
School Visits with the Astros
The Astros wanted to extend the Play Green campaign in to the classroom with the Green Education program.
On April 23, Astros Play Green Ambassador Geoff Blum, Broadcaster Brett Dolan and Junction Jack visited second-grade students at Kolter Elementary, an environmentally focused school, to reward them for their ongoing Earth-friendly efforts. Blum read William is Going Green to the students and provided each of them with an autographed copy of the book, an Astros Play Green Cap and tickets to a future Astros game.
On September 8, Play GreenTM Ambassador Geoff Blum and Astros broadcaster Dave Raymond visited Woodland Hills Elementary School in Kingwood. An environmentally focused school, Blum's visit rewards the students for their Earth-friendly efforts. While there, he read William Is Going Green to the second graders and provided each of them with an autographed copy of the book, an Astros Play Green Cap and tickets to an upcoming Astros game.
Our Mission: To create a positive environmental platform at Minute Maid Park and throughout Texas through a commitment to Earth-friendly efforts to enhance the quality of life for our fans.
2008 Astros Play GreenTM Awards:
City of Houston Mayor's Proud Partner Award
Citizens Environmental Coalition Synergy Award for Corporate Awareness
Finalist for the Texas Environmental Excellence Award for Large Businesses
2009 Astros Play GreenTM Awards:
City of Houston Mayor's Proud Partner Certificate of Recognition
Community
