The Seattle Mariners are joining with Nikon to host the team's third annual carbon offset game for Earth Day, Friday, April 22 (vs. Oakland Athletics). In addition to offsets for carbon, the Club will also purchase renewable electric energy and offset the use of water for the game. All kids will receive a magnet with environmental tips, courtesy of Nikon.

The Mariners also will introduce a new environmental mascot to help spread the word about the Mariners and Safeco Field's environmental practices. Kid Compost will join Captain Plastic to help educate fans about the Zero Waste goals at Safeco Field, which have increased the Mariners recycling rate from 12% in 2005, to over 70% in 2010.

Kid Compost, who will be introduced on-field during the pregame ceremonies on April 22, will make appearances during games to encourage fans to participate in the Safeco Field Zero Waste efforts by placing their recyclables and compostables in the appropriate containers on the ballpark concourses.

Safeco Field Soil

The first five thousand fans leaving the game will receive nine-quart bags of official Safeco Field soil, courtesy of Cedar Grove Compost. 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 waste is transformed by Cedar Grove into compost prized by gardeners across the Northwest. Safeco Field soil will also be distributed to fans leaving the ballpark after games on May 16 and May 30.

Carbon & Water-Off-Set Game

The Mariners have purchased Green-E Certified Renewable Energy Credits from Bonneville Environmental Foundation and green power from Seattle City Light's Green Up program to offset the water usage and climate change impact of energy usage associated with the game between the Mariners and the Oakland Athletics. Impacts to be offset include:

• Emissions associated with natural gas used to operate Safeco Field on April 22 (1,400 Therms of natural gas),
• 116,000 gallons of water,
• Disposal or recycling of waste generated during the game (estimated to be 5.5 tons, 70%+ of which will be recycled),
• Air travel emissions for the Athletics from Oakland to Seattle, as well as the air travel emissions for the umpire crew,
• Hotel-related emissions for the Athletics and the umpires (50 hotel rooms)
• Ground travel to and from the ballpark by staff and fans (180,000 car miles)

The electricity the Mariners purchase from Seattle City Light is already carbon-free and has no greenhouse gas impacts. City Light's Green Up program supports the development of non-carbon, alternative energy sources.

Green Sports Alliance

The Mariners are founding members of the Green Sports Alliance, a coalition of Northwest pro sports teams and venues committed to sustainable practices to reduce their impact on the environment. Other founding teams are the Seattle Seahawks, Portland Trail Blazers, Vancouver Canucks, Seattle Storm and Seattle Sounders FC. Martin Tull, Executive Director of the Green Sports Alliance, will throw out the ceremonial first pitch on Friday night.

Seattle Mariners Green Facts

• From 2006-2009, the Mariners saved over $1 million in utilities costs (electricity, natural gas, water and sewer).
• Reduced natural gas use 60%
• Reduced electricity use 30%
• Reduced water use 15%
• Through a major capital investment programs and conservation measures, the Mariners are now saving 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.
• Mariners were the first MLB team to stage a "carbon neutral" game on Earth Day 2008.

Mariners staged Zero Waste games for Earth Day 2009 and 2010.

Safeco Field has the lowest "energy intensity" of all MLB ballparks that participate in the EPA's Energy Star program.

The Mariners have made significant strides in the use of "green" products and practices.

Cedar Grove Compost has hauled away all of Safeco Field's compostables since 2007 when the Mariners began food waste recycling. As the Pacific Northwest's leading organic recycling company, Cedar Grove transforms grass, leaves, yard trimmings, food waste and wood waste into nutrient-rich compost which the Mariners use in landscaping activities.

Grays Harbor Paper of Hoquiam supplies the Mariners with office paper made from 100% post-consumer waste fiber.

American Paper Converting of Vancouver supplies all hand towels and toilet tissue for Safeco Field made from 100% recycled fiber with a minimum of 65% post-consumer fiber.

97% of all custodial supplies used at Safeco Field are recognized as sustainable products by entities such as "Green Seal" and "Ecologo."

This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.