For many Cape Cod families, attending a Chatham Anglers’ baseball game is the perfect summer activity. However, with more than 1,400 fans in attendance at every game and historically no active recycling efforts, many fully recyclable plastic bottles and cans end up being left in the stands or thrown away.

To tackle this environmental issue, the Massachusetts Beverage Association teamed up with local organization CARE for the Cape & Islands and the Cape Cod Baseball League (CCBL) and launched a recycling pilot program as part of the Take Care Cape Cod Campaign. The initiative aims to improve recycling efforts and reduce littering during Chatham Anglers’ games at Veterans Field. 

“If we all work as a team to implement solutions to issues that confront our environment, the goals are definitely achievable,” said Steve Boksanski, executive director of the Massachusetts Beverage Association, which has partnered with CARE on recycling education efforts for the past three years. 

The program commenced during Fourth of July weekend last year as volunteers known as “Recycle Ambassadors” attended a game to promote and encourage recycling among fans. 

As part of this effort, Coca-Cola Beverages Northeast donated brand new recycling bins to be positioned around the field and clearly marked with bright orange ‘Take Care’ flags to help collect recyclables. 

“We are really grateful for the Chatham Anglers and we are hoping that we’ll have even more ambassadors next year so we’ll be able to expand to other teams,” said Jill Talladay, founder and executive director of CARE for the Cape & Islands. 

If the pilot program is deemed successful, CARE plans to expand the initiative to other CCBL ballparks. 

Community participation and partnerships with location organizations like CARE for the Cape & Islands is fundamental to improving recycling efforts nationwide. Raising awareness of the recyclability of the beverage industry’s plastic bottles and aluminum cans can help improve collection and reduce waste. This will ultimately ensure Cape Cod’s ballparks and other public gathering places are clean for all residents to enjoy.

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