LET'S GO BUCS. LET'S GO GREEN.

PRESENTED BY WM

Since 2009, Pirates Chairman Bob Nutting and the Pittsburgh Pirates have shown their dedication to sustainability by making strides in the areas of waste diversion, energy and water conservation, and environmental awareness. From achieving an 84% diversion rate to decreasing water and energy usage by nearly 20%, the efforts put forth by the Pirates have a positive impact on the Pittsburgh Community. These achievements would not be possible without the support of our dedicated partners, whose collaboration and commitment are instrumental in making the Pirates award winning Let’s Go Bucs. Let’s Go Green. sustainability program a success.

PARTNERS

412 Food Rescue – Local food donation partner collaborating with the Pirates, Aramark, and Pirates Clubhouse Executive Chef Tony Palatucci. The Pittsburgh-based nonprofit redirects unused food to those in the community who are experiencing food insecurity.
ABM – The Pirates work with our on-site facility services provider to support our material sorting, waste diversion, and housekeeping efforts.
AgRecycle – Pittsburgh-based composting expert works with the Pirates to advise and assist with compostable materials and best practices.
Aramark – The Pirates food and beverage partner works to source locally grown ingredients and plant-based alternatives.
Coca-Cola – Provider of recyclable and compostable cups, bottles, cans, and contribution of recycling bins throughout PNC Park.
DLC – The Pirates energy supplier and partner offers consultation on efficiency and sustainability best practices.
Gateway Recycling – The Pirates partner with the family-owned local hauler and processor in assisting with cardboard recycling needs.
Grow Pittsburgh – This Pittsburgh community partner supports garden education through urban agriculture, teaching sustainable farming and helps to maintain PNC Park’s Patio Garden.
Mascaro – Pittsburgh-based contractor recognized on ENR’s Top Green Contractor List, the Pirates partner works to assist with PNC Park’s sustainability efforts through projects and construction management services.
Michael Brothers – The Pirates local Pittsburgh-based hauling partner facilitates the recycling of glass and field waste at PNC Park.
MLB – Major League Baseball is a great partner in promoting environmental awareness such as zero waste programs, water conservation, and energy efficiency across the league.
Pro Services – The Pirates concession maintenance partner specializes in grease recycling and the responsible waste practices implemented at PNC Park.
Scott Electric – The Pirates partner with the electrical supplier in supporting the recycling of e-waste and LED light retrofitting.
WM – The Pirates advisory and recycling services partner assists with promoting best practices in sustainability.
Western Pennsylvania Conservancy – PNC Park is the best ballpark in America and maintaining the environment around the park is incredibly important. The Pirates partner with the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy to provide native plants, consultation, and restoration efforts to enhance and conserve PNC Park’s lower Riverwalk.

LEAGUE RECOGNITION

In 2008, Major League Baseball introduced the Green Glove Award to recognize the team with the highest recycling rate and best practices in diverting waste from landfills.

The Pittsburgh Pirates are proud recipients and nominees for Green Glove Award, showcasing a long-standing commitment to sustainability.
Since 2016, the Pirates have achieved the highest diversion rate in the National League Central, reflecting consistent leadership in environmental responsibility.

PNC PARK PATIO GARDEN

When the sun comes out and the sound of cracking bats fills PNC Park, the Pirates continue to re-open the PNC Park Patio Garden. The Patio Garden uses sustainable practices and provides vegetables and herbs, grown on-site, to be used in Pirates players' favorite healthy dishes prepared by Pirates Executive Chef Tony Palatucci.

Since 2022 over 335 pounds of produce was harvested from the Patio Garden.

The Patio Garden is a part of the Pirates' commitment to sustainability through the Club's nationally recognized "Let's Go Bucs. Let's Go Green." initiative.

Not only does the garden use AgRecycle compost mix that was once PNC Park food waste, but the garden also uses recyclables collected by the Pirates to line each of the raised grow beds. In addition, rainwater is collected on the patio as the garden's primary watering source.

The Pittsburgh Pirates continue to maintain the PNC Park Patio Garden. The Patio Garden uses sustainable practices and provides vegetables and herbs, grown on-site, to be used in Pirates players' favorite healthy dishes prepared by the Pirates Executive Chef Tony Palatucci.

RECYCLING

Just like families at home, our Pirates family works hard each season to reduce, reuse and recycle, not just on Earth Day, but every day. In over a decade of sustainability efforts at PNC Park, the Pirates and our partners have recycled...

Cardboard

1,936 Tons

That’s the equivalent weight of over 200 T-Rex dinos!

Fryer Oil

259 Tons

This oil is recycled and eventually used as biofuel.

Other Recyclables

4,895 Tons

Including electronics, toner cartridges, metal, batteries, and more.

Plastic

851 Tons

Including 1.3 million plastic bottles used by fans each season.

Mixed Paper

214 Tons

Plus, all paper in the front office is at least 30% post-consumer material.

Aluminum

563 Tons

Since we have started recycling, we have recycled 563 tons of aluminum.

COMPOSTING

Food

9,874 Tons

Yard Waste

2,241 Tons

What is composting, anyway?

Composting is organic recycling. Composting allows for the controlled collection of food & organic material, rather than waste-producing methane gas during decomposition in landfills. Direct benefits to soil include increased aeration and structural stability, improved activity of beneficial micro-organisms, faster root development, and ultimately higher yields of agricultural crops.

Consider this: If just 25 Pirates fans diverted their food waste to composting for one year, it would equal eliminating the emissions from a 6,000-mile train trip!

FOOD DONATIONS

Over 30,693 pounds of food was donated between Pirates Executive Chef Tony and Aramark to 412 Food Rescue in 2024.

PNC PARK GREEN TEAM

A group of volunteers dedicated to raising awareness about recycling on Earth Day by engaging with fans throughout the concourses and promoting proper waste disposal practices at PNC Park.

In partnership with the Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation at the University of Pittsburgh, offering students hands-on experience in sustainability and community outreach.