Texas Rangers Team Up With Abitibi Bowater

The Texas Rangers have partnered with Abitibi Bowater, a recycling company based in Montreal, in an effort to continue going green throughout Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, Texas.

While the organization began collecting plastic and aluminum bottles during a series against the Atlanta Braves in June, this is the first time the club has partnered with a recycling company. Proceeds from recycled materials go to the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation.

"This partnership is an important step to supplement some of the green practices we already have in place," says Rob Matwick, the club's executive vice president of ballpark operations. "The collection of plastic and aluminum bottles at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington is one of many initiatives underway in our efforts to be more environmentally friendly. Working with an industry leader like Abitibi Bowater is a tremendous benefit for the Rangers and our fans."

The Rangers will continue to improve their efforts and are working to provide recycling bins throughout the concourse in 2009 for fans to assist in disposing recyclables.

This partnership supports many efforts that have already been in place throughout the ballpark. Since the park opened, grass clippings from the field have been used in mulch for the outside landscaping or returned to the field as eventual fertilizer. Low flow sprinkler heads are used on the field and at the youth ballpark and outside landscaping uses water from the lakes. Compact fluorescent bulbs are used to save energy and recycled. Clean, dry cardboard, broken pallets, tree trimmings, office paper, old carpet, metals of all types, motor and cooking oils and grease products are all recycled.