The Seattle Mariners and BASF, the world’s leading chemical company, have joined together in a unique partnership to further the Mariners composting and recycling program at Safeco Field.

BASF partners with The Seattle Mariners and Safeco Field around compostable bags made with BASF’s Ecovio® bioplastic, a completely compostable plastic that is made partially of renewable raw materials - enabling sustainable development by reducing landfill waste and producing valuable compost. Ecovio® is the main component of the compostable liners used at all Safeco Field concession stands and kitchens as well as the individual compostable bags at seats at the KeyBank Diamond Club.

Because nearly all items used for the service of food at Safeco Field are compostable (cups, napkins, straws, utensils, paper trays, etc.), the Mariners now recycle or compost around 80% of all waste generated at games. Recycling efforts divert an estimated 900,000 pounds of peanut shells, leftover food, compostable service ware and grass clippings from the garbage stream each season. The use of compostable plastic liners and packaging contribute to the success of composting and recycling efforts by removing potential sources of contamination and making collection cleaner, hygienic and more efficient.

"The Mariners are leading the way for stadium Zero Waste to Landfill programs and BASF is proud to support these programs. The use of compostable bags made with Ecovio® can continue to help the Mariners hit a recycling home run," said Ketih Edwards, BASF Business Manager for Biodegrable Plastics in North America. 

Mariners Green Team

The Seattle Mariners are committed to sustainability in all aspects of organizational operations. This includes everything from recycling to conservation to “greening” the supply chain. In addition to the 80% recycling/composting rate, the Mariners have reduced consumption of natural gas by 60%, electricity by 30% and water by 15% since 2006. Through a major capital investment program, the Mariners will continue to save an estimated $500,000 a year in utilities costs. These conservation efforts save the equivalent of 5.1 million pounds of CO2, and are equal to having planted 703 acres of trees and taken 344 cars off the road. The Mariners are committed to continuing these efforts because they are the “right thing to do,” and because they make good business sense.

BASF - The Chemical Company

BASF Corporation, headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, is the North American affiliate of BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany. BASF has approximately 16,400 employees in North America, and had sales of $17.7 billion in 2010. For more information about BASF’s North American operations, visit www.basf.us.

BASF is the world’s leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance products, and agricultural products to oil and gas. As a reliable partner, BASF creates chemistry to help its customers in virtually all industries to be more successful. With its high-value products and intelligent solutions, BASF plays an important role in finding answers to global challenges, such as climate protection, energy efficiency, nutrition and mobility. BASF posted sales of more than €63.9 billion in 2010 and had approximately 109,000 employees as of the end of the year. Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com or in the Social Media Newsroom at newsroom.basf.com.

BASF Corporation

BASF Corporation

BASF is the world's leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics and performance products to agricultural products, fine chemicals and oil and gas. As a reliable partner, BASF creates chemistry to help its customers in virtually all industries to be more successful. With its high-value products and intelligent solutions, BASF plays an important role in finding answers to global challenges, such as climate protection, energy efficiency, nutrition and mobility. BASF posted sales of more than €50 billion in 2009 and had approximately 105,000 employees as of the end of the year. Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.

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