When the San Francisco 49ers opened Levi Stadium in 2014, it became the first professional football stadium in the country to receive the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED Gold Certification for new construction. Sustainable building practices were used throughout, from the bottom up. Solar panels, water recycling and a green roof were all part of the winning strategy.

But the effort did not stop at the gate. The stadium was also centrally located to take advantage of nearby private parking lots that were otherwise empty during game times – reducing the need to build new lots. Fans are encouraged to walk, bike, or use public transportation. The stadium staff also give tailgaters special color-coded bags for the disposal of trash, compostables, and recycling.

To help set an example for fans, information about the stadium’s current energy and water use is displayed on a live dashboard. Jim Mercurio is the Vice President of Stadium Operations.

Mercurio: “What we’re doing is a drop in the bucket compared to what – collectively – others could do. I think we have an opportunity to inspire people around the world, and maybe that bucket gets filled up a little bit quicker.”

Reporting credit: ChavoBart Digital Media/Jason Jackson.
Photo: Levi Stadium features a 27,000 sf “Green Roof” on the top of the stadium’s suite tower (source: Levi Stadium website.

More Resources
Levi Stadium
49ers’ Levi Stadium in Pursuit of Becoming Nation’s Greenest Stadium with Recycled Water Use
Green Sports Alliance