As the world celebrates Earth Day 2019 today, the Pirates announce the most recent successes of the organization’s award-winning “Let’s Go Bucs. Let’s Go Green” program. In 2019, the Pirates Let’s Go Bucs, Let’s Go Green program is focused on sustainability and promoting environmentally friendly practices, such as diverting unused food items to assist local food banks.  

This season, the Pirates have partnered with 412 Food Rescue, a program recovering food to feed the hungry in the community. The Pirates work with ballpark concessionaire Aramark to collect all leftover, untouched and frozen food from PNC Park and then 412 Food Rescue delivers the food to community food banks to distribute to those in need.  

The local nonprofit, 412 Food Rescue, was founded as a direct response to the disconnect between food waste, hunger and environmental sustainability. According to 412 Food Rescue, up to 40 percent of unused food is wasted globally, translating to 1.3 billion tons annually. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, over 97 percent of food waste generated ends up in landfills. 

“In our region we are fortunate to be surrounded by such natural beauty that we simply cannot take for granted,” said Bob Nutting, Pirates Chairman. “We at the Pirates are proud not only for the success of the environmentally friendly practices here at the ballpark, but also in our efforts to continue to utilize our unique public position to help promote the importance of sustainable practices in order to make an even greater impact on our environment.” 

In 2018 the Pirates, Pirates Charites and Rivendale Farms partnered with Grow Pittsburgh, Levy Restaurants and the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy to launch PNC Park’s first-ever ballpark garden, the Rivendale Patio Garden. The Rivendale Patio Garden utilizes sustainable practices and provides healthy food, grown on-site. Last season, the Pirates’ Rivendale Patio Garden at PNC Park produced more than 300 pounds of fresh produce that was utilized within recipes for menu options available throughout the ballpark.  

In addition, the Pirates’ sustainability practices successfully diverted more than 70% of the ballpark waste out of the waste stream, equivalent to more than 1,650 tons of materials. Since the launch of the “Let’s Go Bucs. Let’s Go Green.” Program in 2008, the Pirates have recycled approximately seven million pounds of material from PNC Park, successfully diverting it out of the waste stream.  

The Pirates have also announced that they will be teaming up with Venture Outdoors later this season for a cleanup project around PNC Park. Pirates’ Front Office employees will be walking the North Shore Riverwalk and kayaking along the Allegheny River to remove trash to maintain the beautiful landscape features of Pittsburgh that fans enjoy when visiting the ballpark.