The Baltimore Ravens, in partnership with the Maryland Stadium Authority (MSA), earning LEED-certified “Gold” designation. All consequently for M&T Bank Stadium from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).
For starters, LEED is Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. LEED strives to deliver energy- and water-efficient, healthy, environmentally-friendly, cost-saving buildings, homes and communities.
So M&T Bank Stadium becoming the first ever LEED existing outdoor professional sports facility in the United States. That’s including all NFL and Major League Baseball stadiums. All to receive USGBC’s Gold rating. A LEED certification is recognized across the globe as the premier mark of achievement in green building.
Some of the major sustainability projects at M&T Bank Stadium highlighted by LEED include:
43% water reduction with the installation of over 400 waterless urinals
27% above the national average in energy efficiency
Offset 123,070 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions
Electricity at the stadium reduced from 15,952,984 kilowatt hours in to 10,881,579 in 2012 alone. That’s a savings of 5,071,405 kilowatt hours. (That savings can heat about 440 homes for a year.)
As well as 71% of regularly occupied spaces have access to outdoor views.
Among the efforts at M&T Bank Stadium that helped earn the Gold recognition from LEED are:
The stadium recycles 31% of its regular waste and is increasing this percentage.
The stadium saves over 3 million gallons of water per year. It saves with waterless urinals and water-efficient restroom fixtures. Mind you, as a result, all throughout the building.
Furthermore, all purchases for M&T Bank Stadium follow the Sustainable Purchasing Policy. A policy including recycled, renewable and Energy Star-labeled products for the building.
The stadium implementing a “Green Cleaning” program improving air quality. Also as a result, reducing waste with green cleaning products and materials.
Both the Ravens and Maryland Stadium Authority encourage the use of public and alternative transportation to stadium events. So 10% of Ravens fans use the MTA Light Rail service to travel to and from games. Another 2% use buses through the “Ravens Ride” program.
In addition, 38% of M&T Bank Stadium staff use alternative transportation to work. Thereby contributing to the stadium’s carbon footprint reduction of 123,070 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions per year.
Consequently, the stadium’s efficient irrigation system and adaptive vegetation reduces 30% of its potable water for outside irrigation.
Furthermore, environmentally friendly operations and maintenance programs are used. Used consequently in all pest, landscape and hardscape management programs for the stadium.
In conclusion and along with the LEED designation, the USGBC presents a plaque saluting this honor. Finally, the plaque will be placed prominently at M&T Bank Stadium.
Sources: Green Sports Alliance and the Baltimore Ravens
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