There’s nothing better than game day excitement, fall’s crisp air, tailgate food smells, and the crowd’s roar. In Tennessee, everyone knows that tailgating is a tradition. A big problem at the end of the game can be leftover trash that harms Tennessee’s beauty, wildlife, and waterways.
Want to help keep the tradition without the Trash? Here are some simple and practical tips to keep your tailgate clean without sacrificing fun. It’s a win-win with a cleaner Tennessee and a game-day spot ready for next week’s celebration.
Prep Like a Pro
Preparation before game day can go a long way to saving money, reducing waste, and making cleanup easier.
- Gear Up with Reusables: Bring reusable plates, cups, and utensils instead of single-use plastics. Bonus points if they’re in your team’s colors!
- Avoid the Turnover: Resist overpacking paper products and plastic bottles. Instead, bring bulk drink dispensers and refillable bottles that guests can use to refill throughout the day. And grab some team-branded towels and napkins you can reuse for every game.
- Make Every Play Count: By choosing snacks and condiments in larger containers rather than individually wrapped portions, you help reduce the packaging you’ll have to toss later.
With a bit of planning, you can keep your tailgate festive, affordable, and waste-free – leaving nothing behind but good memories.
Recycle like a Winner
Organizing can make a big difference in keeping your tailgate trash-free and eco-friendly.
- BYOB: Bring your bins, or sturdy, clearly labeled bags for Trash and recycling, and compost (if your area offers it).
- Stay in the Zone: Place bins where people naturally gather, like near the food table or cooler, so guests don’t have to search for where to dispose of their Trash. You can add bright labels or team-colored tape so they’re easy to spot.
- Play by the Rules: In advance, check the recycling guidelines for the stadium or parking lot. Certain locations have specific guidelines or limitations regarding what can be recycled on-site. And remember, you can also take items home and recycle them in your bins!
When disposal is simple, you’ll keep more cans, bottles, and packaging out of the landfill and help keep game day green.
Make it a Team Effort
A winning tailgate cleanup starts with teamwork. Get everyone involved so the area stays spotless and no one is left carrying the load alone.
- Call the Play: Assign everyone a role when they arrive. With everything delegated, the cleanup will go quickly and won’t depend on one person to do all the work.
- Lead the Drive: When one person starts cleaning up, others are more likely to help. Many hands make light work.
- Show off the Win: Get other fans involved. Share your clean tailgate on social media and tag #NobodyTrashesTennessee and your favorite team.
When the final whistle blows, your crew will leave the lot looking like champions, and that’s a win for everyone.
Victory is a Clean Exit
Your last play of the day is just as important as your first. A solid cleanup keeps the parking lot, streets, and waterways litter-free.
- Tackle Trash Early: Keep a small trash bag in your pocket or cooler for quick cleanup of bottle caps, wrappers, or cigarette butts.
- Defend the Goal Line: Secure all trash bags and recycling before heading into the game to prevent anything from blowing away. Remember to cover your load if you take your trash back to the house to dispose of it. It’s no good doing all the work if it ends up on Tennessee roadways.
- Block the Blitz: Remind tailgaters that litter left behind can wash into storm drains and Tennessee waterways. Rain can wash it into our lakes, rivers, and other waterways, creating a huge mess.
Finish strong by leaving nothing behind but team spirit. A clean exit is a win for you, your fellow fans, and all of Tennessee.
Make “Leave No Trace” Part of the Game Plan
True fans recognize the significance of game day traditions. Let’s embrace a new tradition this year: “leave no trace.” By disposing of our Trash properly, we can help preserve the beauty of Tennessee and protect its wildlife while keeping our waterways clean and clear for everyone to enjoy. That’s a victory worth celebrating long after the final whistle.
Sources:
https://www.keepknoxvillebeautiful.org/kkb-blog/2019/8/30/tackling-waste-in-tailgating-68m69
https://sustainability.utk.edu/initiatives/zero-waste-gameday/
