Today, Green Business Certification Inc. announced Austin FC’s home venue Q2 Stadium as the first soccer-specific stadium and fifth sports venue in the world to earn Total Resource Use and Efficiency (TRUE) Gold certification. By earning this certification and by consistently diverting more than 90 percent of its waste, Q2 Stadium is now officially a zero-waste venue.
“Sustainability was an integral part of Q2 Stadium’s design and it continues to be a top priority as we strive to make the venue a home that Austinites can enjoy for years to come,” said Austin FC President Andy Loughnane. “It’s an honor to officially become the first soccer-specific stadium to earn this TRUE certification, in our commitment to a greener future.”
By accomplishing TRUE Gold certification, Q2 Stadium demonstrates a commitment to sustainability leadership by shifting to prioritizing processes, operations and actions to reduce waste and resources throughout their system lifecycle. All of Q2 Stadium’s waste diversion initiatives are part of Austin FC’s Evergreen Sustainability Platform, presented by YETI.
As the Official Waste and Recycling Partner of Austin FC, Texas Disposal Systems (TDS), has played a crucial role in advancing the club’s zero waste objectives from the very beginning. Leveraging over 45 years of expertise in waste diversion and sustainability, TDS has been instrumental in achieving this goal by developing and implementing strategies to increase the rate at which waste is diverted at the stadium. To help sustain and exceed 91% diversion from the landfill, TDS created a custom sorting system for Austin FC inside of Q2 Stadium. With this new system, materials discarded throughout Q2 Stadium are now being processed and properly sorted into the correct recycling, compost, and waste streams through a mini Materials Recovery Facility (MRF).
Additionally, credentialed TRUE Advisors from have significantly contributed through their hands-on consulting, collaborating closely with Austin FC to achieve their sustainability targets. Since early 2023, the efforts of these partnerships have successfully diverted 91% of all waste from Q2 Stadium away from landfills, incineration (waste-to-energy), and the environment.
“Q2 Stadium recognizes that by pursuing zero waste they are helping us build a sustainable future for all,” said Peter Templeton, President and CEO of U.S. Green Building Council and GBCI. “Waste impacts all facets of business and changing the way that we use resources will deliver public health benefits, reduce our environmental impact and advance a greener economy.”
Originally introduced in 2011, the Austin City Council adopted a citywide zero waste goal to reduce the amount of trash sent to landfills by 90% by the year of 2040. Q2 Stadium’s new TRUE Gold certification is a testament to Austin FC’s continued commitment to play an important role to help make Austin a greener city.
