As an annual tradition, Major League Baseball and Clubs will continue their celebration of ‘Earth Day’ leading up to Saturday, April 22^nd with a particular focus on highlighting everyday environmental sustainability practices that can be applied to everyone in ballparks, offices, homes, and beyond. MLB will continue to focus on environmental awareness at various points throughout the season, including during MLB All-Star Week and through important partnerships, including with “Players for the Planet.”

San Francisco Giants Win 2022 Green Glove Award – MLB awarded the San Francisco Giants with the “Green Glove Award” for their achievement of reaching nearly 100% annual diversion rate. This annual award is given to the Club with the highest rate of waste-diversion rate, which is done through practices such as recycling, composting, food donations, and energy recovery. This is the 13th time the Giants have won this award.

The 2022 finalists for the Green Glove Award included:

• American League East: Toronto Blue Jays
• American League Central: Minnesota Twins
• American League West: Seattle Mariners
• American League Overall: Minnesota Twins
• National League East: Washington Nationals
• National League Central: Pittsburgh Pirates
• National League West: San Francisco Giants
• National League Overall: San Francisco Giants

By the Numbers: Greening at MLB

• 26 Clubs have installed LED field lighting
• 21 Clubs operate food donation programs
• 11 Ballparks utilize on-site gardens
• 10 Ballparks utilize solar power
• 7 Clubs activate regular-season Green Teams
• 6 Clubs have permanently eliminated plastic straws from Ballparks
• 6 MLB Ballparks are LEED certified

NOTE: For a more detailed list of Club Sustainability, please visit MLB.com/Green.

PARTNERSHIPS

Players for the Planet Educational Sessions – In a long-standing partnership with MLB, Players for the Planet will raise awareness on environmental issues throughout the season, and during All-Star Week through an in-person volunteer event. Players for the Planet, founded by former MLB outfielder Chris Dickerson, works to connect professional athletes, sports teams, and organizations with actionable opportunities to serve and protect the environment.

MLB Network – MLB Network has produced a special video highlighting Baseball’s Earth Day initiatives, which will be played across MLB’s digital platforms. On Saturday, April 22^nd, MLB Network will light up Studio 3’s broadcast desk in green as a symbolic recognition of the day. Additionally, MLB Network has committed to pledge $3,000 and 20 volunteers to Jersey Cares for an on-site project in MLB offices where volunteers will be preparing garden kits to be donated to a local public school.  

MLB Office Sustainability Efforts – MLB is mirroring Club sustainability best practices at the League’s headquarters in New York City as well as satellite offices in Boulder, CO and San Francisco, CA. MLB employees are encouraged to use reusable water bottles and coffee mugs, which is being piloted through the elimination of paper plates and plastic cups. Additionally, the office will work to improve recycling efforts with updated signage and education, and to reduce energy consumption through motion-sensored LED lighting and an updated television schedule that reduced energy consumption by 328 hours during the off-season. Additionally, MLB and MLB Network employees will have the opportunity to take part in a local horticulture and clean up volunteer project known as, MLB It’s My Park Project on Saturday, April 29th at Rev. T. Wendell Foster Park.

MLB Flagship Store – MLB’s flagship store located in New York City will offer a 10% discount to all customers who bring in and use re-usable baggage from April 17 - 22.

All-Star Week in Seattle – Similar to previous years, MLB will continue to highlight sustainability efforts during the 2023 Midsummer Classic at T-Mobile Park, home of the Seattle Mariners and across the Greater Seattle Area. MLB will highlight the work of the Seattle Mariners and the league with exciting new programs that will be reflective of the following:

• Activation of Green Teams focusing on recycling throughout All-Star Week sites
• Volunteer event with “Players for The Planet”
• Water filtration systems in broadcast, media, and staff areas to reduce single-use plastic products
• Offsetting water and energy usage
• Food donation programs
• Promoting walking and public transportation to T-Mobile Park and throughout Seattle with greenway paths

MLB will once again pursue Council for Responsible Sport Certification, which provides objective, independent verification of the socially and environmentally responsible work as a sustainable and socially responsible sporting event. This would follow certifications for the last four All-Star Weeks in 2018 (Washington), 2019 (Cleveland), 2021 (Denver), and 2022 (Los Angeles).