SAN FRANCISCO and PORTLAND, ORE. – In partnership with the Green Sports Alliance, the Pac-12 released today the winners of the third annual Zero Waste Bowl. All Pac-12 universities participated this year as members of the Green Sports Alliance with the goals of determining which university could divert the most waste from the landfill at a selected men’s or women’s home game during the Fall 2016 sports season, as well as which one used the most innovative methods to expand the reach and impact of the competition.

“We congratulate all the Pac-12 campuses for their dedicated efforts and participation this year,” said Erik Distler, Director of Partnerships at the Green Sports Alliance. “The Green Sports Alliance is proud to support this unique activation highlighting the sustainability leadership of the Pac-12.”

The Pac-12 Road Zero Waste Bowl provides a friendly and spirited platform for Pac-12 universities to engage on best practices in athletics waste diversion and to learn how each campus strives toward zero waste goals. In addition to overall waste diversion rate, the universities are scored on innovation, partnership & participation, and fan engagement. A panel of four independent judges determined the results.

Fall 2016 Pac-12 Zero Waste Bowl Challenge Final Results:

• 1st Place: University of Southern California: Achieved a diversion rate of 94%
• 2nd Place: Arizona State University: Achieved a diversion rate of 93%
• 3rd Place: University of Colorado, Boulder - Achieved a diversion rate of 87%

The judges also recognized University of Washington and University of Arizona with an honorable mention after the two universities achieved diversion rates of 75 percent and 70 percent respectively.

Finally, the judges awarded three universities with Zero Waste Challenge special awards for Fan Engagement, Athlete/Player Engagement, and the most improved school (from the previous competition):

• Fan Engagement Award – Stanford University
• Athlete/Player Engagement – Oregon State University
• Most Improved – University of Southern California

About the Pac-12 Conference:
Recognized as the 'Conference of Champions' for its unequaled NCAA Championships, the Pac-12 Conference comprises the 12 leading universities located in the Western United States: The University of Arizona, Arizona State University, the University of California-Berkeley, the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA), the University of Colorado, the University of Oregon, Oregon State University, Stanford University, the University of Southern California, the University of Utah, the University of Washington and Washington State University. For more information on the Conference’s programs, member institutions, and Commissioner Larry Scott, go to pac-12.com/conference.

About the Green Sports Alliance:
The Green Sports Alliance leverages the cultural and market influence of sports to promote healthy, sustainable communities where we live and play. The nonprofit organization does so by inspiring sports leagues, teams, venues, their partners, and millions of fans to embrace renewable energy, healthy food, recycling, water efficiency, species preservation, safer chemicals and other environmentally preferable practices. The Alliance is engaging the global sports industry to encourage measurable actions that enhance venue operations, influence the sports industry supply chain, and mobilize fans.

Since launching nationally in March of 2011, the Alliance has grown from 6 teams from 6 leagues to more than 300 sports teams and venues from 20 different sports leagues and 14 countries. Currently, 30 NCAA affiliated universities are members of the Alliance.

Visit greensportsalliance.org to learn more. Interested in membership? Inquire at info@greensportsalliance.org.