Posted by NoleCC

By Bill Kristoph

Generally, ScalpEm.com is for FSU Sports Coverage exclusively, but today I’m reaching out to my readers in an effort to bring awareness to Blog Action Day, which is an effort by bloggers everywhere to focus on the environment, and how we can improve it. Instead of focusing on the usual, “Take a Shorter Shower” diatribe, I thought I would bring out some suggestions for your next tailgate to help make it more environmentally friendly, for those Saturdays in the fall. With that said, here are the tips that I’ve thought of, pick a few of them and try them! You don’t have to do everything to help make a difference. And, if you have any that YOU would like to share, please leave them in the comments section.

Tailgating For The Environment

Getting There

• Maintain your car. Seal up those oil leaks. Make sure your tires are inflated properly to save gas.
• Carpool to the game.
• Skip the aluminum foil and plastic wrap, use reusable containers to store food.
• Invest in a cooler, instead of the cheaper Styrofoam coolers.
• Use reusable ice-packs instead of ice to cool food and drinks, where possible.
• Buy recycled products.
• Buy non-perishable items for the season in bulk.
• Bring a “forever” flashlight with you that you shake or wind, instead of using a battery powered one.
• Ride with the windows down instead of using the A/C.
• Ice down tap water and put it in reusable containers instead of buying bottled water with all of that packaging.

When You’re At Tailgate

• Use a container to collect all of the cans, bottles, plastics and cardboards from your food and drink and recycle them instead of throwing them into the trash.
• Use rechargeable batteries for electronics.
• Skip the generator for one game, do you really need two TVs? Try an XM or Sirius Radio for the play-by-play instead and imagine the action on field.
• Collect and dispose of all trash you create.
• If you use lighting, replace your regular bulbs with Compact Fluorescent Bulbs.
• Get a solar powered charger for smaller items, there’s usually lots of sunshine in Tallahassee.

At The Game

• Use only what you need, don’t waste 50 napkins.
• Make sure you shut off the faucet in the bathroom.
• Use a hand dryer instead of paper towels if possible.
• Help dispose of trash on your way out.

Post Game

• Wait a few extra minutes to let the traffic clear, there’s no point in idling for 45 minutes at a standstill.
• Instead of picking up fast food, prepare something at home. It’s also cheaper for you, generally.

Thanks for reading this article. I know this is out of the ordinary and is very out of character, but it’s important! Leave me some thoughts in the comments section!