X GAMES ENVIRONMENTALITY™: GREENING WINTER X GAMES 13

X Games Environmentality (XGE) is a comprehensive program that drives environmental stewardship through all facets of event planning. By bringing environmental initiatives to the forefront of operations, we minimize the impact of each event through waste minimization, the use of renewable resources and environmentally conscious products, and pollution prevention. X Games is a leader in hosting environmentally responsible sporting events.  

In an effort to reduce waste sent to local landfills, spectators, staff and athletes will sort waste into custom three-way bins that collect recyclables, compostables and trash. The recyclable and compostable materials will be processed at Pitkin County Solid Waste Center. Cardboard, construction materials, electronics and plastic shrink wrap will also be recycled at Winter X Games 13. ECO FACT: Nearly 18,000 pounds of bottles and cans were diverted from the landfill last year through recycling at Winter X Games 12. 

Serviceware items such as cups, plates, utensils and napkins used for athletes, staff and spectators are made from renewable and compostable materials, including PLA plastic made from corn, Bagasse (a fiber made from sugarcane by-product) and recycled paper.  Individual water bottles and condiments have been replaced with multi-use containers, helping the X Games strive towards its goal that every staff member is able to compost everything they use during a meal at the X Games.  ECO FACT: (PLA) biopolymer is a plant based plastic made from a 100% annually renewable resource, which contributes to a smaller carbon footprint compared to traditional plastics, produces over 80% less greenhouse gases than traditional polymers and requires up to 65% less fossil fuel to produce from cradle to pellet.

Winter X Games was the first multi-day, large-scale event in Pitkin County to divert all organic waste from the landfill through a pilot compost program at Pitkin County Solid Waste Center initiated in January 2006. Winter X Games athletes, staff and spectator meal discards are now available as nutrient-rich compost. ECO FACT: More than 24,000 pounds of compostable organic materials were diverted from the landfill last year at Winter X Games 12.  

The TRASHed Recycling Store is back at Winter X Games 13. Spectators who “Get Caught Recycling” throughout the venue will be rewarded with tokens they can redeem for valuable prizes at the TRASHed Recycling Store. Many of these prizes are environmentally preferred-made from recycled materials or designed to encourage eco-action. In addition, spectators can learn about XGE initiatives at The Store. ECO FACT: Over 10,000 beverage containers were redeemed and recycled at the TRASHed Recycling Store at Winter X Games 12

All RFTA shuttle buses transporting X Games spectators in Aspen are powered by bio fuels, including bio diesel, a renewable, nontoxic, and biodegradable fuel made from soy bean oil. Use of bio diesel produces fewer emissions than traditional petroleum based fuels, helping to combat climate change. ECO FACT: RFTA now operates 13 hybrid buses that run on biodiesel. Last year RFTA and its transportation partners replaced 3,600 gallons of petroleum diesel with 100 percent renewable biodiesel during the five days of X Games.  

The Winter X Games SuperPipe at Buttermilk Mountain is innovatively built using a base of dirt rather than snow to create its 22-foot walls. This significantly reduces the water required to build and maintain the pipe for the 2008/2009 season. ECO FACT: The use of dirt instead of man-made snow reduces the amount of water needed to build the SuperPipe by approximately 20 million gallons. 

The event media guide is printed on 100 percent post-consumer, recycled paper and uses a recycled plastic binding.  Additionally, the Winter X Games 13 spectator guide has made the move to an online format. ECO FACT: Producing recycled paper causes 74 percent less air pollution and 35 percent less water pollution than producing paper from trees and preserves old-growth trees, forest eco-systems, native habitat and biodiversity. 

X Games Environmentality and the National Arbor Day Foundation are planting 2,000 trees in Colorado’s Pike-San Isabel National Forest on behalf of each athlete, staff and media member participating in Winter X Games 13. The trees will be planted as part of a project to restore Douglas fir, Ponderosa pine and Engelmann spruce in 125 acres damaged by the mountain pine beetle. 

Visit www.XGamesEnvironmentality.com to learn more.