In partnership with the Office for Sustainability, Virginia Athletics is implementing Zero Waste initiatives that support student-athlete leadership in sustainability, improve operational efficiency, reduce environmental impact.

Facilities

In alignment with the University’s sustainability goals, Virginia Athletics has made a commitment to improve the sustainability of all its athletic facilities and incorporate green building standards into all new construction. The department engages with local and national sustainability-related organizations to share solutions and earn recognition in support of its work. 

LEED Certification 

One of UVA Athletics’ goals is to build and maintain the highest quality facilities in the country with the purpose of attracting and developing the best student-athletes. To meet this goal, Athletics ensures that facilities are well maintained, efficiently operated and designed with intent to provide high performance spaces that have the needs, health and wellness of student-athletes in mind.

In accordance with these goals, UVA Athletics supports LEED projects, and all new capital projects are LEED certified in alignment with UVA Green Building Standards.

Focus on Palmer Park

Palmer Park received LEED Silver Certification from the US Green Buildings Council, meaning UVA Softball’s new home goes above and beyond as a showcase for green building practices.

From the start, Palmer Park was designed to be as energy efficient as possible. High performance windows, building equipment, LED lighting systems and smart building controls ensure energy and operating costs are minimized. An all-electric HVAC system furthers this goal while limiting on-site carbon emissions in support of UVA’s carbon neutrality and fossil fuel-free goals.

Focus on Disharoon Park

The expansion of Disharoon Park received LEED Silver Certification from the US Green Buildings Council in 2019. During construction, special attention was paid to the diversion of construction waste, and both the composition and production location of new materials.

Compared to typical building performance, the design of the expansion has achieved energy cost savings of 31% and reduced potable water use by 30%. Additionally, there is a stormwater management plan in place to reduce peak discharge rate of stormwater and landscaping that does not require permanent irrigation.

Events

University athletic events are highly resource-intensive, so the Office of Sustainability has partnered with Virginia Athletics and UVA Dine to establish programs that reduce the amount of landfilled waste.

Green Games

When 55,000 fans pour into Scott Stadium from August to December, you might be thinking about how many touchdowns the Cavs will get and not how much trash will end up in landfill. But that’s exactly what a team of 30 Green Game zero waste volunteers does at each UVA home game.

Green Games are UVA’s effort to reduce the large amount of waste generated at football games and other athletic events. What started as a one-time event during the athletic season now occurs at every home football game and around four home basketball games each year to align with UVA Sustainability’s goal to reduce waste to 30% of 2010 levels by 2030. Student volunteers sort waste bins and sweep through the concourse collecting compostable items.

Recognition

In 2023, GFL Environmental sponsored the Race to Waste challenge. UVA successfully diverted 60,000 pounds of waste earning the Office for Sustainability a $6,000 donation from the waste management company! In 2024, John Paul Jones Stadium received a Virginia Green Travel Star Award for Most Innovative Project. JPJ was also awarded the 2014 Green Attraction of the Year from the Virginia Green Program.

Fan Engagement

UVA student-athletes encourage fans to get involved with sustainability efforts underway in Athletics. There are many easy ways fans can contribute to a “greener game day” whether tailgating, cheering from the stands, or watching from home. When in attendance at UVA Athletics events, sort waste materials correctly into recycling, compost, and landfill trash bags. When purchasing tailgate supplies, consider more sustainable options such as: reusable, recyclable, or compostable dishware, utensils, and decoration, bulk purchasing, and locally-sourced products.

Green Athletics

Green Athletics is a group of student athlete leaders committed to advancing sustainability on Grounds. Under the guidance of the Office for Sustainability, the working group promotes the University’s sustainability goals and initiatives, focusing on outreach and engagement. Each semester, Green Athletics plans and executes a range of projects and events with the aim to promote sustainable thought and practice among student athletes, coaches and administrators.

Email us to join!

Sustainability in the ACC

Through student groups and professional associations, UVA has partnered with other ACC schools to share and integrate sustainable practices into collegiate athletics.

ACC Sport's Sustainability Team

The ACC Sports Sustainability Team is committed to integrating sustainable practices into collegiate athletics through collaboration, engagement, education and accountability - allowing athletes, students and fans to participate in collegiate athletics long into the future. The team aims to lead and cultivate the collective strengths and expertise of ACC member institutions, creating an impact through innovative sports sustainability practice.

ACC Sustainable Student Athletes

The ACC Sports Sustainable Student-Athlete Team has been developed so that student-athletes throughout the conference can share ideas and aspirations for a more sustainable future. The group is committed to a range of initiatives including increasing sustainability education, championing an intersectional approach to sustainability, collaborating with Athletics leadership, and supporting the sports community.