NHL Green announced today the expansion of a tailgate recycling initiative, in partnership with the Pennsylvania Resources Council (PRC), to reduce the carbon footprint of the 2012 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic®. 

Hockey fans tailgating before the Winter Classic are encouraged to participate in recycling efforts outside Citizens Bank Park on January 2.  The Pennsylvania Resources Council, as part of the existing Recycle-A-Lot campaign in Philadelphia, will collect aluminum cans, glass containers, and plastic bottles and cups throughout stadium parking areas. 
Fans tailgating in parking lots A-H, J-N and P will receive green recycling bags from parking attendants and roving Recycle-A-Lot Squad teams.  Tailgaters can fill the bags with recyclables, tie-up and leave next to their vehicles before heading to the game.  Recycle-A-Lot Squad teams will collect the full bags for recycling after game-time. 
 
“We are thrilled to see the National Hockey League partner with the Pennsylvania Resources Council to further protect our environment by recycling during the upcoming Winter Classic,” said Comcast-Spectacor President Peter Luukko. “We are encouraging all of our fans, and those who may be visiting from out of town, to help go green while wearing their black and orange at the Winter Classic.”
 
“I like seeing the Flyers put the puck in the net, and I like seeing our citizens put their cans and bottles in the recycling bin,” said Mayor Michael A. Nutter. “I thank the NHL and PRC for making it easy for fans to do the right thing. I encourage all Winter Classic fans to take advantage of this initiative and recycle.”  

The environmental effect of fan recycling at the Winter Classic is almost immediate.  An aluminum can goes from consumption, to being recycled into a new can, back into a consumer’s hand for consumption again in less than 60 days.
 
At the 2011 Winter Classic in Pittsburgh, the League first partnered with PRC in a tailgate recycling initiative which collected over two tons of materials—including 1,125 pounds of aluminum cans and 2,700 pounds of glass bottles – outside Heinz Field.
 
The 2012 NHL Winter Classic® tailgate recycling initiative is sponsored by PRC and funded by the Alcoa Foundation, with support from Comcast-Spectacor, the Philadelphia Flyers, New York Rangers, Wells Fargo Center, Central Parking System and The Lot Squad LLC.