“We set out to build a venue that would not only exceed expectations, but also push the limits of what was possible in terms of stadium design, fan experience, and sustainability.”
— Arthur M. Blank
LEED Platinum
First certified professional sports stadium in the nation
Zero Waste
Diverting 90%+ of all waste
Energy
Leveraging renewable energy sources
Water
Maintaining and conserving usage
Alternate Transportation
Finding greener ways to get here
Urban Garden and STEAM
Ecological / educational opportunities
LEED Platinum Certification
Mercedes Benz Stadium is the first professional sports venue in the United States to achieve LEED Platinum Certification.
LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is an internationally recognized green building rating system created by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). There are multiple project types that can apply for LEED status and four different levels of LEED certification for projects that qualify; Certified, Silver, Gold and Platinum. To achieve the highest level of LEED Platinum certification, the rating system requires 80+ points to be earned on the LEED scorecard through innovative and sustainable building design.
Today, these building features help the stadium operate efficiently on a day to day basis, minimize the environmental impact on event day, and benefit the surrounding Atlanta community.
Zero Waste
Mercedes-Benz Stadium is committed to achieving Zero Waste, which is defined by diverting 90% or more of all waste from the landfill.
We strive to achieve zero waste by:
- ELIMINATING all unnecessary waste
- REDUCING the amount of overall waste generated on site
- REUSING, REPURPOSING, or DONATING materials rather than discarding
- RECYCLING and COMPOSTING
Mercedes-Benz Stadium has partnered with Gainesville Waste and Recycling to collect waste accumulated at MBS and convert it into composted soil.
In March of 2022, MBS received its first bags of soil made from those composted material generated from trash at the stadium. A portion of that composted soil has been transported back to MBS and planted in our urban garden on property.
Zero waste stations and awareness signs are located throughout the stadium concourses. Mercedes-Benz Stadium is committed to being a leader in the realm of zero waste venues by implementing a recycling and composting program that will keep a minimum of 90%+ of all waste generated at the stadium from ever going to a landfill.
CHaRM — The Center for Hard to Recycle Materials
The facility is operated by Live Thrive — a local nonprofit. It is a permanent drop-off facility that aims to improve our environmental health by encouraging reuse and diverting thousands of pounds or household hazardous waste, bulky trash, and other hard to recycle items from Metro-Atlanta landfills and water systems. CHaRM also provides single stream recycling for those that do not have access.
Food Recovery
Mercedes-Benz Stadium has partnered with Second Helpings Atlanta to donate unused food from the stadium to provide meals directly to the Westside Atlanta community. Following an event, Mercedes-Benz Stadium packages unused and prepared food for pickup. second helpings Atlanta volunteers arrive shortly after to transport the food to local agencies for distribution.
To date, more than 250,000 pounds of food have been donated to Second Helpings Atlanta, creating over 208,000 meals for Atlanta residents in need.
