OXFORD, Miss. – Football season is here, and in the South, that means
it’s time for some serious tailgating. But because tailgating requires
quick setup and cleanup, it can be tough on the environment.
It doesn’t have to be that way if fans commit to making their tailgates
“greener” with a few simple changes, said Jim Morrison, assistant to
the senior vice chancellor and coordinator of campus sustainability
efforts at the University of Mississippi.
Green Tailgating
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“Our hope is that we can respect and preserve the campus environment, particularly special places such as the Grove, so that future generations can enjoy the same beautiful Ole Miss campus for years to come,” Morrison said. “A simple step for us to take is to commit to leaving the Grove the same way we found it when we pack up and leave.”
Earlier this year, Chancellor Robert Khayat signed the American College & University Presidents’ Climate Commitment, which challenges colleges and universities to identify their greenhouse gas output, then develop a plan to reduce those emissions over the next five years. Already, Ole Miss is converting its lawnmowers to operate on biodiesel and is increasing recycling efforts.
Rebel fans can help the university meet its sustainability goals by taking a few simple steps to make their time in the Grove, Circle and other tailgating areas more environmentally friendly. Here are a few things you can do to help:
- Use biodegradable plates and utensils rather than standard disposables. Many such products are made from compostable materials such as cornstarch, sugar cane and soy products. Better yet, pack reusable plastic dishes and utensils. Carry them home for washing in a plastic storage container with a tight-fitting lid.
- Set up pop-up garbage cans to collect aluminum cans, plastic soft drink bottles and other recyclables. The Ole Miss Staff Council Recycling Committee also plans to hand out recycling bags in the Grove Saturday (Aug. 30) before the Ole Miss-Memphis game. Drop them into the appropriate container after the game, or take them home for recycling.
- Instead of bottled water, fill a drink cooler with water and ice. For flavored beverages, stir in a pouch or can of powdered drink mix.
- Carry food and supplies in a fabric or plastic mesh shopping bag rather than disposable paper or plastic bags. Use reusable plastic containers instead of plastic bags to transport food.
- Buy food and supplies in bulk. Not only will you save a little money but the larger packaging cuts down on waste.
- Consider Earth-friendly eats, including vegetarian entrees and locally produced veggies, fruits and dairy products, which are fresher and take less energy to get to your tailgate than groceries that are trucked cross-country. Check out the offerings at local farmers’ markets when planning your menu.
- Open flames are not allowed in the Grove, but charcoal grills are OK. Unfortunately, charcoal often is made with coal dust and other unhealthy additives. Choose eco-friendly charcoal, including lump charcoal (made from charred wood) that’s harvested from sustainably managed forests or pillow-shaped briquettes made from scrap wood. You can find these “greener” varieties from online sources or at some upscale markets, such as Whole Foods.
- Use cloth napkins that can be washed or, at least, napkins made from recycled paper.
- Consider riding a bike or carpooling to campus. Not only will you save gas, but you’ll also minimize parking hassles.
- Use a hand-cranked radio rather than a battery-powered model. Many hand-powered radios are so efficient that you can get 30 minutes of playing time by spinning the crank only 90 seconds. A few models can even be used to recharge your dead cellphone batteries.
For more information about the UM green initiative, contact Morrison at 662-915-1678 or jwmorris@olemiss.edu.