Petco Park's Green Grand Slam: A New Model for Stadium Sustainability

BOULDER, Colo. – April 27, 2026 – The San Diego Padres and Eco-Products have formalized a landmark partnership, naming the sustainable packaging company an Official Zero Waste Partner of the team. This announcement celebrates a multi-year, behind-the-scenes effort that has transformed Petco Park into a leading example of environmental stewardship in professional sports, culminating in the diversion of over 2,000 tons of waste from local landfills in 2025 alone.

The partnership solidifies a comprehensive system that has been years in the making, aimed at tackling the immense challenge of waste generated by the millions of fans who visit the ballpark annually. It represents a significant step forward in large-scale venue sustainability, offering a tangible blueprint for how sports franchises can champion environmental responsibility.

"With millions of fans coming through our gates year-round, Petco Park has a civic duty to prioritize environmentally responsible practices," said Padres COO Caroline Perry. "Our partnership with Eco-Products will expand access to compostable foodservice packaging and play a key role in diverting waste from our landfills, reinforcing our commitment to a more sustainable San Diego."

The System Behind the Success: A Multi-Year Collaboration

This achievement was not an overnight success but the result of a meticulous, systems-based approach that began with initial conversations in 2022. The initiative brought together a coalition of four key organizations, each playing a critical role: the San Diego Padres, foodservice partner Delaware North, waste hauler Republic Services, and Eco-Products.

"The effort at Petco Park reflects years of collaboration among organizations that are committed to getting the details right," said Wendell Simonson, General Manager of Eco-Products. "What began with a conversation about field testing in 2022 grew into a coordinated effort with the Padres, Delaware North and Republic Services to support composting across Petco Park."

This collaboration focused on creating a closed-loop system where every component was designed to work in harmony. Eco-Products provided the specialized foodservice ware, Delaware North integrated these products into its vast concession operations, the Padres managed the in-stadium logistics and fan-facing programs, and Republic Services ensured the collected materials could be successfully processed at its Otay composting facility.

From Lab to Landfill Diversion: The Science of Compostables

A cornerstone of the program's success lies in the rigorous selection and testing of the materials used in the park. Starting in 2023, the partners began an intensive, two-year process to field test a suite of BPI-Certified compostable products. BPI, the Biodegradable Products Institute, provides third-party verification that products meet stringent scientific standards (ASTM D6400 and D6868) for breaking down completely in commercial composting facilities without leaving toxic residues.

The field testing followed protocols outlined by the Compostable Field Testing Program, a non-profit initiative that bridges the gap between lab-controlled conditions and the dynamic environment of a real-world industrial composter. This ensured that the selected plates, cups, and cutlery would not only perform for fans but also integrate seamlessly into Republic Services' composting operations. The process resulted in the approval of a broad range of bioplastic and fiber-based items now used for concessions throughout Petco Park.

"Reducing waste at a venue the size of Petco Park requires a coordinated approach – from the materials used by our concession teams to how waste is collected, sorted and processed," said Debbie Friedel, Director of Sustainability for Delaware North. "Working with Eco–Products supports the broader zero–waste system the Padres, Republic Services and our operations teams have built together to improve diversion and reduce landfill waste."

Putting the Program in Play: Fan Experience and Back-of-House Precision

With the testing phase complete, the Padres officially launched their new composting program in 2025. For fans, the most visible change was the introduction of a simplified two-stream waste system. Bins throughout the concourses are now clearly marked for just two categories: recyclables and compostables. This streamlined approach eliminates the need for landfill receptacles in public areas, making it easier for attendees to dispose of their waste correctly.

However, the system's true genius lies in its recognition that perfect fan sorting is an unrealistic goal in a bustling stadium. The program is buttressed by a critical back-of-house operation where Petco Park's janitorial team meticulously sorts the collected materials after events. This step removes contamination—such as a plastic bottle mistakenly thrown in a compost bin—ensuring a clean stream of organic material heads to the composting facility.

The results speak for themselves. In 2025, the program's first full year, Petco Park diverted a total of 2,002.8 tons of waste from the landfill. This included 856.1 tons of food scraps and compostable serviceware sent to Republic's facility and 46.6 tons of untouched food donated to Father Joe's Mission, fighting food insecurity in the community.

"Republic Services delivers diversion solutions at Petco Park through continued investments and innovation in organics recycling," said Jesus Torres, General Manager of Republic Services. "Partnering with Eco–Products and Delaware North supports our commitment to sustainability and helps drive meaningful environmental outcomes."

A Blueprint for the Big Leagues

Petco Park's initiative places it at the forefront of a growing sustainability movement within professional sports. Venues like Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium and New York's Yankee Stadium have launched similar zero-waste ambitions, signaling a significant industry shift toward environmental leadership. What sets the San Diego model apart is its emphasis on a deeply integrated, multi-stakeholder partnership and its transparent, long-term testing protocol.

Eco-Products advocates for this systems-based approach through initiatives like its Controls Intended to Remove Contamination (CIRC) Program. CIRC is a set of open-source tools designed to help the entire foodservice industry keep non-compostable items out of the organics stream, a critical step for building trust with compost manufacturers.

"Compostable packaging can be very effective when there is a system in place to support it," Simonson explained. "That means choosing the right products, confirming they work for the composter and designing collection programs that manage contamination. The collaboration required to make all of that happen is the hardest part and the thing we're most proud of here."

By proving the model's effectiveness at scale, the partnership between the Padres, Eco-Products, Delaware North, and Republic Services has created more than just a cleaner ballpark; it has built a powerful and replicable blueprint for the future of sustainable entertainment.