Penguins to highlight sustainability efforts during Thursday home game

The Pittsburgh Penguins will host Penguins Pledge Night during their March 5 home game.

The night highlights the Penguins Pledge, a sustainability initiative launched in 2023 to improve the organization’s social, economic and environmental efforts. The program is a collaborative effort with various corporate partners aimed at reducing environmental impact and promoting sustainable practices to preserve natural resources.

Fans attending the game can visit several sustainability-themed activities on the arena concourse. U. S. Steel will host a live webcam of Irvin and Stella, two resident bald eagles from the Irvin Plant, alongside a life-size eagle wingspan display. Experts from the National Aviary will also be present with live penguin ambassadors to raise funds and awareness for African penguin conservation.

The organization also works to prevent food waste through a partnership with 412 Food Rescue. Since 2019, the team, Aramark and PPG Paints Arena have rescued 57,371 pounds of surplus food for community organizations. This effort has redirected food to thousands of people across the Pittsburgh region and prevented an estimated 163,041 pounds of greenhouse gas emissions. CEO Alyssa Cholodofsky of 412 Food Rescue, highlighted the collaborative nature of the program.

“We are proud to work with iconic Pittsburgh institutions like the Penguins to ensure that good food feeds people, not landfills,” Cholodofsky said. “From sports franchises to businesses big and small, to the thousands of people who volunteer with us, our Pittsburgh community is fighting climate change and food insecurity as a team.”

The sustainability efforts extend to local waterways and trails through a partnership with Friends of the Riverfront. Since 2022, these events have engaged more than 325 volunteers on the Three Rivers Heritage Trail. Participants have contributed 2,225 hours to remove 800 pounds of trash and nine truckloads of invasive vegetation. The partnership has also resulted in the planting of more than 250 native trees to support outdoor recreation in Allegheny County.

The team has also addressed its carbon footprint through a collaboration with EQT Corporation and the Allegheny Land Trust. By purchasing locally generated forest carbon credits, the Penguins reached carbon neutrality for the 2023-24 season. This partnership supported the conservation and stewardship of 272 acres of green space in southwestern Pennsylvania that help capture carbon and absorb stormwater.

Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW