You may have heard by now that the brand new Cowboys Stadium is open! But, have you heard that the stadium is green? Jerry Jones and his team are trying to become the first sports stadium to gain recognition for the EPA's Environmental Performance Track Program. This program is "a public-private partnership that encourages continuous environmental improvement through environmental management systems, community outreach, and measurable results1." This program demands accountability and continual improvement from construction on.
 
Through its design, Cowboy Stadium has been engineered to promote sustainability, conserve energy and water, and recycle materials. Some examples of these implementations are:
- Retractable Roof: Conserves energy used for lighting
- Retractable End-Zone Doors: Allows for natural ventilation
- 30 acres of permeable and structured-grass pavement: Absorbs rainwater run-off and filters impurities in the water
- Recycling Materials: Reducing strain on landfills

It's great to see a project so large make an effort to be green. Let's hope others follow the organization's lead!

¹ EPA Environmental Performance Track

Sources: You Can Go Green
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