Courtesy NFL

This NFL initiative focuses on combining sound business decisions and good environmental practices in ways that benefit the host community and leave an environmental legacy of the Super Bowl.

The NFL's Environmental Program is an ongoing community effort. During the past 14 years, this Program has worked to combine sound business decisions and good environmental practices in ways that benefit the host community and leave an environmental legacy of the Super Bowl. For Super Bowl XLII, the Arizona community benefitted from a number of Programs including:

• Prepared Food Recovery — The NFL and event managers will work with local shelters, churches and soup kitchens to collect and distribute prepared food to members of the community.
• Solid Waste Management/Recycling — The Environmental Program continues the NFL's commitment to divert solid waste from landfills. The NFL works with facility managers and waste haulers to recycle as many commodities (cardboard, paper, aluminum, plastic, etc.) as is practical at each location.
• Materials Donation — Super Bowl and its many events generate a lot of leftover materials, supplies and equipment. Through the Material Donation project, much of this material is recovered and donated to local nonprofits for reuse or for fundraising purposes. Significant donations include building supplies and materials, plants and centerpieces, decorative materials and office supplies.
• Sports Equipment and Book Donation Project — Children from schools all over Arizona will donate their used sports equipment and books. In turn, the donations will be delivered to underprivileged children at schools throughout the state.

As a result of this year's (2008) environmental projects in Arizona, more than $600,000 in value came into the local community.

2008 Results (Arizona):

• Prepared food recovery - 93,000 pounds ($155K)
• Material recovery - two trailers ($317K)
• Sports equipment and books - 22,000 items ($74K)
• Forestry projects - 10,042 trees ($60K)

Estimated Community Benefit: $606,000

For information about more of Arizona's environmental initiatives surrounding Super Bowl XLII, and find out how you can 'Go Green AZ'.

Interested in learning more about Super Bowl XLIII? Visit Super Bowl XLIII.