First Professional Sports Stadium to Achieve LEED Platinum Certification for Operations and Maintenance

Reducing our Carbon Footprint

U.S. Bank Stadium aims to reduce its carbon footprint in all areas of operations including but not limited to water reduction, waste reduction/diversion, energy efficiency, sustainable purchasing, and the promotion of alternative transportation. As a LEED-certified stadium, much of the innovation is based on smart technology and providing efficient and sustainable solutions that make the event experience overwhelmingly excellent.

 

Achievements, Awards, and Certifications

  • In August 2019, U.S. Bank Stadium became the first professional sports stadium to become certified LEED Platinum for Operations and Maintenance (O + M).
  • In February 2018, U.S. Bank Stadium achieved a Zero Waste Super Bowl with 91 percent of waste diverted from landfills through the stadium’s investment in top-of-the-line infrastructure and efforts in building a sustainable, environmentally friendly operation.
  • In 2018, U.S. Bank Stadium was named the 2018 Innovator of the Year from the Green Sports Alliance for the waste diversion efforts during Super Bowl LII.
  • U.S. Bank Stadium was recognized twice as a finalist for the Sustainability and Community Award by the Stadium Business Awards for waste diversion efforts (2018) and LEED Platinum certification (2019).
  • The Stadium was certified LEED Gold in 2017 for Building Design and Construction (BD + C).
  • U.S. Bank Stadium is the first stadium to receive a Bike Friendly Business certification and has over 180 bike racks.

Sustainability Program Initiatives

Energy: Through renewable energy credits, wind energy accounted for 100% of the stadium’s power for the first five years of operation. Utilizing smart building management systems and strict energy use policies, energy consumption has dropped by more than 10% from the first year open. LED lights are used for all lighting systems, including the field lights, and energy-intensive equipment is shut down whenever not in use. U.S. Bank Stadium has also maximized its eco-friendly design features including the usage of natural daylight and heating/cooling benefits through the ETFE (Ethylene tetrafluoroethylene) roof structure.

Waste Diversion: Waste is diverted from the landfill, and either recycled, composted, donated, or reused. The remaining waste is taken to a trash-to-energy facility where it is converted to steam that is used to heat buildings in the downtown Minneapolis area.

Water Reduction: The stadium ensures responsible water use by using industry-best low flow fixtures, and a stormwater collection system keeps site runoff from flooding the surrounding area while also helping to charge the local groundwater.

Sustainable Purchasing: Nearly all food packaging that comes from concessions, premium areas, and suites is made to be composted. The stadium offers a compost collection to collect these products. Administrative offices use 100% post-consumer copy paper, reusable service ware, and utilizes filtered water coolers to eliminate plastic bottle use.

Promotion of Alternative Transportation: U.S. Bank Stadium is the first stadium to receive a Bike Friendly Business certification and has over 180 bike racks.

Emissions: By increasing the stadium's organics rates, CO2 emissions have been reduced by nearly 511,000 pounds, and methane emissions have been reduced by roughly 11,000 kgs.

Education: U.S. Bank Stadium has supported environmental education with the addition of sustainability tours through its STEM-focused education tour program for students K-12.

 

Zero Waste Super Bowl

For Super Bowl LII, the Stadium recycled, composted, reused, or donated 91% of all game day waste, more than 69 tons. See the highlights of this effort in our video, below.