State Farm Arena diverts most waste from landfills

Hawks’ home earns praise for recycling, composting efforts.

State Farm Arena, home of the Atlanta Hawks, has cleaned up its act.

Through recycling, composting and working with vendors and local partners, the entertainment venue has reduced and diverted at least 90% of fan-generated waste from landfills since this time last year, according to a press release from the Hawks. That adds up to more than a million pounds.

It is the first such venue to receive a platinum-level Total Resource Use and Efficiency certification from Green Building Certification Inc., a leading sustainability and health certification and credentialing body.

Before it started the process, the arena diverted only 10% of its waste from landfills.

“State Farm Arena and the Atlanta Hawks recognize the positive impacts of reducing the amount of waste that goes to landfills, helping us build a sustainable future,” said Peter Templeton, president of the agencies that awarded the certification, the U.S. Green Building Council and Green Building Certification Inc. “Waste impacts all facets of business, and changing the way that we use resources will deliver public health benefits, reduce our environmental impact and advance a greener economy. Sports leagues and teams reach large audiences and have the power to expose everyday audiences to sustainability strategies like zero waste.”

Working with the Hawks and State Farm Arena are local companies including Compostnow, Haulin’ Glass Recycling, Levy Restaurants and aluminum production company Novelis.

“Accomplishing this was only possible with an entire team effort,” said Geoffrey Stiles, Hawks senior vice president of facilities and events for State Farm Arena. “When we began our zero waste journey, we knew that the vision would take buy-in from everybody — our fans, partners and staff — night after night and event after event to make this happen.”

State Farm Arena, formerly Philips Arena, opened in October 2018 following a $192 million renovation. It hosts nearly 200 events and nearly 2 million guests annually, according to the Hawks.