TSG Hoffenheim are setting new standards in the Bundesliga in waste and recyclable materials management and have reached another milestone as part of their Road to Zero waste strategy: The Bundesliga team have once again been awarded the Silver certificate according to DIN SPEC 91436 – in fact, they have received two! Both the PreZero Arena and the head office and training centre in Zuzenhausen were certified by TÜV SÜD with the award for their operational waste and recyclable material management. With a recycling rate of more than 91 percent, TSG have reinforced their role as a benchmark – in the Bundesliga, in Europe and far beyond football.

Already in 2023, the PreZero Arena was the first stadium in the Bundesliga to receive Bronze certification. The newly confirmed Silver award for the Arena and head office means TSG Hoffenheim remain the first and so far only club in Europe with this certification. RB Leipzig have now received Bronze certification, and other clubs and organisations from other sports and companies are already showing great interest in the model.

"We were able to further consolidate our pioneering role in this field – and that would not have been possible without the strong partnership with PreZero and the commitment of all those involved. Every single employee – from kiosk staff to the logistics team – has contributed to this," said Tim Jost, managing director of TSG Hoffenheim.

Since the first Bronze certification of the PreZero Arena in 2023, TSG have systematically continued to develop their operations in this area. Within one year, the recycling rate has increased significantly from 87 percent to 90 percent and certification was extended to other locations. With the renewed Silver status, the club continues to play a leading role. This certification underlines TSG's goal to continue to be a pioneer in this discipline in the coming years.

The current certification was based on a particularly comprehensive testing process carried out by TÜV SÜD: for the first time, matchday operations were also included in the evaluation. On March 29, an assessor attended TSG's Bundesliga home match against FC Augsburg and inspected the outdoor area, the recycling room, the boxes, kitchens, kiosks, the business area, as well as the stands and other areas around the stadium. There were also two additional days outside of matchdays where the Arena and the head office were evaluated, checking how the waste processes work in day-to-day operations, how well waste is separated and the general ecological balance.

TÜV SÜD's subsequent ruling was positive: The waste management is "very good", and "within touching distance of Gold". The use of the reusable plates and bowls during match operations and the idea of the planned sustainability camp of the football school in September with a focus on waste separation were particularly praised.

"The renewed Silver certification proves that it is worth staying on the ball and taking the road to zero waste step by step," said Marcus Sagitz, managing director of Marketing & Corporate Affairs at PreZero International. "Our common goal is to protect and conserve resources. Recycling or using products for longer saves CO2, valuable water, energy and other raw materials. Sustainability is a mega trend that determines our daily lives and our future. That's why I'm all the more excited to see that it's working so well here."

The next steps are already clearly defined: The improvements recommended by TÜV SÜD will be adopted and new goals will be set. In the long term, TSG are aiming for Gold certification – for this purpose, among other things, it is planned to develop new solutions for the recycling of hybrid turf and to further reduce residual waste.

 

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