The 2013 ALDS Playoff Between the Boston Red Sox and the Tampa Bay Rays to be the Greenest in MLB History

Source: Renewable Energy World

The 2013 Major League Baseball playoffs are just getting underway. The American League East is represented by the division winning Boston Red Sox and the wildcard winning Tampa Bay Rays. Both teams know each other very well, having met 19 times during the regular season with the Red Sox winning 12. Odds makers are giving the edge to the home field advantage Red Sox, but those who love the game know that anything can happen in the playoffs, and the Rays like their position as the underdog.

In addition to a great playoff series, this may be the Greenest ALDS in history. In 2005 Major League Baseball became the first professional sports league to partner with National Resource Defense Council to develop the MLB Greening Program. Over the years these initiatives and programs have grown to encourage recycling, reduce consumption, and reuse materials. Filta Environmental Kitchen Solutions has been there along the way, assisting both the Red Sox and the Rays.

The American League East Division winning Red Sox home field Fenway Park concessions are managed by Aramark. Filta’s on-site fryer management resulted in a net savings in Cost of Goods (oil), Labor and Liability to both Fenway and Aramark. The numbers are not in for 2013, but for the 2012 regular season, Aramark saved 1,834 boxes of cooking oil being dumped. That’s over 64,200 pounds of oil in one season. Those savings represent not only financial, but an environmental impact. By reducing consumption the resulting carbon offset would be like planting 2,056 trees.

Similarly, the American League Wildcard Rays home park Tropicana Field concessions are managed by Centerplate. Many of the same benefits enjoyed at Fenway Park are also provided to Tropicana by Filta. The stat line looks the same, but the odds makers can find an edge enjoyed by the Rays. That significant difference is the reduction of on-site oil storage at the “Trop” which reduces odors and potential leakage. Once the waste oil is removed from the fryers, Filta immediately transports the grease to become 100% bio-diesel.

“The MLB Greening Program has seen tremendous growth with mutual participation from the concessionaires managing the venues. In addition to the other Major League Ballparks we service, it is exciting to see our clients compete in the 2013 ALDS“, said Rob Totten, Filta Sustainability Director.

No matter which team wins on the field; its the local communities, the fans, and ultimately the environment that come out ahead.