New York arena attains zero waste certification

UBS Arena in Elmont, New York, on Long Island, has attained Silver level zero-waste certification within the Total Resource Use and Efficiency (TRUE) rating system.

Administered by Washington-based Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI), TRUE is a system designed to help facilities measure, improve and recognize zero-waste performance by encouraging the adoption of sustainable waste management and reduction practices.

In the year needed to collect data to become a TRUE certified project, maintained a diversion of waste from landfill rate of more than 95 percent.

More than 1.55 million pounds (775 tons) of discarded material was composted and recycled from the arena. That effort, officials say, helped prevent 300 metric tons of CO₂ emissions from being released into the atmosphere.

Through reuse and donation, the building avoided 14.2 metric tons of CO₂ emissions, by reusing or donating 55,000 pounds (27.5 tons) of material.

Ownership and management of the arena say the designation was achieved in conjunction with its zero-waste partner, Queens, New York-based facility management firm Collins Building Services.

“Sustainability is at the forefront of all we do at UBS Arena and we are proud to say that the venue is a certified zero waste facility,” says Michael Sciortino, general manager of the venue, which is home to the New York Islanders.

“To achieve this TRUE certification at a Silver level is a testament to a couple years of hard work by our team, and in the end our staff and our guests working together to help us make a positive impact on our environment. We also want to thank Collins Building Services for joining us in our industry-leading sustainability efforts by becoming our first official zero waste partner.”

UBS Arena says its zero-waste certification supports its sustainability commitments through a "Sustainable Brilliance, Community Resilience” framework announced last November.

The building “shifted its waste operations from a fan-facing perspective” by eliminating single use landfill-bound items and introducing new signage at each waste receptacle, according to the venue’s operators.

The new signage showcases graphics that match exactly what is provided at the arena and each item’s corresponding waste stream. The venue also created a Zero Waste Pocket Guide that is available via the arena website and throughout the venue by scanning QR codes found onsite.

UBS Arena also made investments in time, staff and space to create a zero-waste workroom designed to assist in the sorting of discarded materials. The venue cites additional partners that played an "integral part” in obtaining its TRUE Silver certification as food service company Delaware North and West Babylon, New York-based waste and recycling service provider Winters Bros.

“Collins Building Services (CBS) was excited to embrace the opportunity to partner with UBS Arena and together drive our zero waste efforts,” CBS President Ken Collins says. “The CBS Zero Waste team works tirelessly behind the scenes of every event to achieve our sustainability goals. They are true heroes. We congratulate everyone who came together to make this possible to help nurture and replenish our world.”

“Zero waste is a powerful part of any company’s sustainability strategy," adds Peter Templeton, president and CEO of U.S. Green Building Council and GBCI. "Through their TRUE certification, UBS Arena enhances their operations in a way that maximizes the life cycle of every product to promote a fully circular economy.”