The Spokane Indians Baseball Team has been a proud community partner since 1903 and we understand the importance of doing our part to protect the environment and resources for future generations. We've been recycling for years, but our sustainability efforts expanded in 2019 with the announcement of the Zero Waste Campaign. The logo on the left was created in conjunction with the Spokane Tribe of Indians and is used to highlight our environmental efforts. You will find this symbol attached to several areas of our business including Zero Waste Stations throughout Avista Stadium, Redband headbands, K Cards, and worn proudly by our Green Team!
Zero Waste Stations
In 2019, the Spokane Indians installed 60 Zero Waste Stations throughout the stadium, located both on the inner and outer concourse and at the skybox level. The Zero Waste Stations have three streams: compost (green bin), recycling (blue bin), and landfill (grey bin). In addition to clear signage, that includes photo examples of each item that can be sorted, all Spokane Indians staff are able to help fans sort items after they're finished eating. Phase 2 of the campaign will include more Zero Waste Stations throughout the ballpark to increase our diversion rate each year which will prevent as many items as possible from going to the landfill.
On-Site Sorting Facility
One of the duties of the newly created Green Team is running the in-house sorting area which is located behind the right field bench seats. Sorting occurs after every home game in the "Compost Corner". You will also see the Green Team wearing their green shirts during the game on the inner concourse keeping the stadium clean, educating fans, and answering questions.
Closing the Loop
The Spokane Indians are building a closed loop system so food and items that have been traditionally sent to the landfill are reused. The Indians are investing yearly in many compostable items including beer cups, Pepsi cups (including lids and straws) and utensils. Once fans have finished eating, items are sorted in the Zero Waste Stations and sent to the local composting facility. At the facility items are broken down with high heat and turned into compost that is used to build nutrient-dense soil. This soil is brought back to Avista Stadium and reused in our flower beds. To expand the closed loop system, an on-site vegetable garden is being planned with vegetables to be featured in specialty food items in the future, throughout the ballpark as part of a farm-to-stadium program.
Promotion and Education
To educate and engage fans, we have several promotional elements. In addition to nightly PA announcements and radio spots, during select games on the inner concourse fans can be "caught in the act of composting" and one lucky fan will win a Spokane Indians prize pack. On certain nights there is also a table run by the Green Team to answer questions and challenge fans to play our Zero Waste Sorting Race. This includes one minute to sort all of the items into the correct bins and with a chance to win a Spokane Indians baseball hat.
The Future
We are committed to our goal of achieving Zero Waste. During each off-season, our team will continue to research and develop ways to improve our diversion rate and create fun and educational ways to engage fans of all ages. Additional partners will join the campaign to help us expand our reach in the community through community outreach programs and school programs.
Food Waste Prevention
The Spokane Indians are committed to reducing food waste at the source by using projected attendance and historical data to forecast food usage and cut down on preparing unnecessary amounts of food. Additionally to reduce food waste after it has been prepared and address the issue of food insecurity in Spokane, the Indians partner with Feed Spokane to collect food prepared in excess and redistribute it to the Spokane community. Finally, all prepared food and scraps that do not meet the Feed Spokane requirements are composted. During the 2022 season the Spokane Indians donated over 6,000 pounds of nutritious food, the equivalent of 5,025 meals, which were served to those in need.
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