Miami Marlins “Greening” Major League Baseball Game

Marlins Park, the Miami Marlins’ new baseball stadium is tracking well to become the first LEED Silver Certified retractable roof Ballpark in Baseball.

The Marlins Park construction team has initiated an aggressive waste management recycling program. Currently, more than 98% of the construction waste is being recycled. Primary items being recycled are: asphalt, cardboard, concrete, metal, steel, paper, plastic and wood, among others. The design of the ballpark has focused on including green initiatives, with a goal to incorporate pre-consumer and post-consumer recycled content that will ultimately represent more than 20% of the total material incorporated into the ballpark. The team has also specified materials harvested and manufactured within 500 miles of the job site to reduce transportation emissions and support the local economy. As the ballpark progresses, other green project elements will include the use of low VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) paints, adhesives, carpets and flooring to improve the indoor air quality in the ballpark. Additionally, each site office complex conducts independent recycling with the goal to donate any money from this program to a local entity for them to start their own green efforts.

Construction Waste Management- Recycling

It is estimated that 40% of waste in landfills in United States were coming from construction projects. LEED aims to reduce this number by recycling construction waste.

Recycling- construction debris is hauled away to recycling centers where debris is sorted out into wood, metal, etc. So far approximately 98% of all construction waste has been diverted to recycling centers.

Material Selection

Regional Material: Concrete is processed and manufactured locally. Supporting the regional economy and reducing environmental impacts from transportation.

Regional Material: Other materials like steel, landscaping, as well as many more will help achieve this credit. Currently project is achieving 51% regional content.

Material with Recycled content: Currently 41% of material cost spent to date has been for material composed Recycle content. This includes the steel for the retractable roof, steel for the exterior façade support, and fly ash in concrete.

Indoor Environmental Quality

Indoor Air Quality Plan- reduces indoor air quality from the construction process in order to help sustain comfort & well-being of the workers & future building occupants.

Utilizing sealants, paint & adhesives with low VOC (volatile organic compounds). VOCs can contribute to the formation of smog and can be potentially harmful to individuals with certain allergies and other conditions. Protecting air vents during the construction process & replacing all air filtration media prior to occupancy.

Energy

Glass Façade- Building is designed to allow natural light, minimizing the need for artificial light. Energy Efficiency will encourage a wide variety of energy strategies including energy use monitoring; efficient design and construction; efficient appliances, and lighting systems.

Sustainable Sites

Site is developed with a maximum open space that is vegetated with landscaping to promote biodiversity.

Alternative Transportation is promoted through bicycle storage areas along with current bus routes. Preferred parking for low emitting and fuel efficient vehicles. 276 spaces.

White membrane of roof reduces the Heat Island Effect. Heat rays are reflected instead of absorbed. The heat island effect occurs in urban areas where a high percentage of heat-absorptive surfaces, like dark roofs, parking lots and roads, retain the sun’s heat, increasing the temperature of the surrounding area.

Water Reduction

Water reduction will be achieved through more efficient appliances and fixtures including waterless urinals. It is estimated, that one waterless urinal saves 24,000 gallons of water per year. Approximately 6 million gallons of water a year will be saved with the 249 waterless urinals. Currently calculating 52% savings in water reductions through selection of efficient equipment.

Source: Miami Marlins Baseball Team

http://miami.marlins.mlb.com/mia/ballpark/green_ballpark.jsp