MLB celebrates 1 year of sustainability partnership with WM this Earth Day

This Earth Day, MLB and WM (Formerly Waste Management) celebrate one year as the first Official Sustainability Partner of Major League Baseball. Once again, WM will be the presenting partner of Major League Baseball’s official Earth Day and MLB Green Week celebrations. During the 2024 season, MLB and WM were able to recover more than 20 tons of recyclable material during Jewel Events including MLB at Rickwood Field and All-Star Week.

WM’s Advisory Services are offered to all 30 Clubs for free on behalf of MLB. WM’s Advisory Services group provides end-to-end solutions intended to help customers advance their sustainability-related goals relating to waste reduction and diversion, greenhouse gas emissions management, and more.

By the Numbers: Greening Efforts Across MLB

• All 30 Clubs are playing in ballparks with LED field lighting
• 29 Clubs have bike/scooter parking available for fans
• 27 Clubs have fan-facing water refill stations in their ballpark
• 25 Clubs have added composting as a waste stream
• 24 Clubs operate food donation programs
• 20 Clubs have EV Chargers at the ballpark
• 20 Clubs conduct a post-game dual-stream bowl pick to collect recyclable items
• 13 Ballparks utilize on-site gardens

Note: For a more detailed list of Club Sustainability efforts, please visit *MLB.com/Green*. See a list of additional Club Activation Examples for 2025 Earth Day efforts HERE

In 2024, MLB expanded its commitment to sustainability by announcing three new additions to its League Sustainability Awards—building on the legacy of the Green Glove Award, which has traditionally recognized the club that diverts the most waste during the season. These awards now includes the ‘Power Pitch Award’ for the MLB Ballpark that demonstrates exemplary efforts in preserving power and energy, the ‘H2O Home Run Award’ recognizes the Club that has demonstrated exceptional dedication and achievement in reducing its water usage from the previous year and the ‘Eco-Slugger Innovation Award’ an accolade given to the Club that demonstrates outstanding efforts in implementing environmentally sustainable practices and initiatives. Award winners for the 2024 season include:

• Green Glove Award: San Diego Padres
  • The Padres maintained an impressive diversion rate of over 95%, with a 46% increase in total materials diverted year-over-year.
• Power Pitch Award: Milwaukee Brewers
  • The Brewers achieved 16% reduction in energy usage compared to 2023.
• H2O Home Run Award: Seattle Mariners
  • The Mariners achieved 26% reduction in water usage compared to 2023.
• Eco-Slugger Innovation Award: Colorado Rockies
  • The Rockies were recognized for innovative sustainability initiatives, including their stormwater management program, reusable cup pilot program, and Earth Day activations focused on incorporating education on sustainability into the ballpark and with the youth.

Last year during 2024 MLB All-Star Week in Texas, MLB earned the honor and achievement of receiving ‘Gold Status’ from the Council for Responsible Sport for the League’s efforts in Arlington, Texas at Globe Life Field, home of the Texas Rangers. With the WM collaboration, during 2024 MLB All-Star Week, WM helped the event achieve a 6x increase in diversion over baseline operations at the host venue. In years prior, MLB has consistently earned Gold Status, which is the second highest honor granted by the council and the highest certification of ‘Evergreen Status’ in 2023 during All-Star Week in Seattle.

MLB has earned certifications for the last six All-Star Weeks including 2018 (Washington), 2019 (Cleveland), 2021 (Denver), 2022 (Los Angeles), 2023 (Seattle), and 2024 (Texas). There was no All-Star Game in 2020 due to the pandemic. Through the League’s sustainability efforts, MLB became one of the first major sports leagues to join the Green Sports Alliance, one of the largest, most influential, and initial drivers of environmental and social responsibility across the global sports industry. Additionally, MLB became the first league to have all 30 Clubs participate as members.