Padres Sustainability

In accordance with California law SB-1383, the Padres are proud to roll out a new composting program. The Padres worked with Republic Services on the creation of a brand-new composting facility in San Diego and have tested all products used by vendors in Petco Park to ensure they are compostable or recyclable in local facilities. The Trash Sorting Area (TSA) has been updated to support this project. One of the landfill compactors was converted to compact compost, so there are now two compost compactors on-site and pressure monitors have been added to all compactors. This helps to reduce the number of hauls made, decreasing fuel consumption and the cost of hauling.

There are 86 collection bins made from recycled milk containers located throughout the ballpark with detailed signage helping fans to sort waste into compost and recycling streams. In addition to a two-stream front of house collection, all waste is then re-sorted by trained back of house staff to ensure waste is sent to the correct facilities.

Continuing in 2025 is the extensive recycling program which accounted for 70% waste diversion rates for the last five years.

• Used cooking grease is processed and converted to bio-diesel.
• Recycling containers are located throughout the ballpark in public and service areas.
• Pre-consumer food waste collected and composted.
• Unsold food is inventoried and donated to local non-profit groups.
• 100% diversion rate of electronic and construction waste from landfills.
• Clear plastic and shrink wrap are recycled into plastic decking material.

In 2024 the Padres opened Gallagher Square to extend the initiatives at Petco Park beyond the physical walls of the stadium into the greater San Diego Community. In addition to continuing ballpark waste, energy, and water efficiency measures outside of the stadium, Gallagher Park has a variety of sustainability features including

• Turf to save water and energy costs.
• Stormwater runoff infiltration swale.
• Native vegetation to support the local ecosystem.
• Light colored paving to decrease urban heating in the heart of the city.
• Outdoor recreation facilities, playground, dog park, etc. enabling San Diegans to spend more time outside.

The Gallagher Square restoration project was also a zero-waste construction project. 67% of construction and demolition materials from the project were properly recycled or reused and 100% of soil from the project, 12752.26 tons, were recycled by our hauling company and used for their own construction projects. Ultimately, the Padres were able to keep 14,841.90 tons of waste out of the landfill, resulting in an overall 96% waste diversion rate for 2024 at Petco Park.

In 2024, the Padres added a 1200-ton magnetic bearing centrifugal chiller plant with 588-ton thermal storage, saving over $1.5 million annually in ballpark utility costs. The new chiller plant features high-efficiency chillers designed to optimize power consumption, with an impressive turndown capability from 1200 tons down to 60 tons, increasing versatility and energy-consciousness.

With the implementation of the new chiller plant, the Padres also added a thermal storage system to enhance energy reduction performance. This system includes a small chiller dedicated to a bank of six water tanks that freeze each night. The thermal storage allows for peak shaving. Peak shaving is achieved by using power at night when energy costs are lower to freeze the water in the tanks. During the day, when energy costs are higher, the ice melts, reducing the power consumption of the chiller. This thermal storage system effectively peak shaves the new chiller plant, ensuring maximum efficiency and cost savings. As more data is collected and the system is optimized, its performance and savings are expected to increase even further.

Since Petco Park¡¯s inception in 2004, the Padres have been consistently updating their technology and appliances to ensure a high standard of energy and cost efficiency.

• The ballpark utilizes system level metering and a real-time Energy Management Dashboard to monitor 14 electric meters and 30 sub meters throughout the ballpark and benchmarks energy data through EnergyStar Portfolio Manager.
• The ballpark also utilizes a computer-based Building Automation System to control heating, cooling, and lighting systems. This system uses schedules, occupancy sensors, and variable frequency drives to optimize building performance and energy management.

• Petco Park¡¯s indoor plumbing fixtures have all been upgraded to low-flow water saving fixtures. The water fixtures are certified by the EPA Water Sense program and meet the 2006 Universal Plumbing Code water use ratings.
• Petco Park¡¯s Water Wall feature at home plate gate operates with recirculated water.
• Potable water meters and irrigation water meters provide real time data, helping to identify irrigation leaks and water saving opportunities.
• Building chilled water-cooling plant and heating hot water plant are closed loop systems that require minimal make up water.

• In 2016, the ballpark replaced the field sports lighting with LED technology, cutting sports lights energy consumption in half from more than 1 million watts to 500,000 watts.
• The ballpark converted more than 40,000 building lighting fixtures from incandescent HID and fluorescent fixtures to LED fixtures.
• The ballpark features advanced lighting controls with schedules, photocells, and occupancy sensors.

• Ballpark utilizes ionized water and non-toxic, biodegradable cleaners and Green Seal products.
• Refrigeration units are free of ozone depleting chlorofluorocarbons (CFC¡¯s)
• Digital and paperless ticketing for fans to reduce material use and improve waste diversion
• Paper products are made with recycled materials for office use, cleaning, and restrooms.

In 2017, Petco Park updated their HVAC system, improving overall energy efficiency at the park by adding the following features:

• Walk in freezer thermal storage units and high-speed automatic doors to save energy during times of non-use.
• Heating hot water loop converted to variable speed flow
• Implemented HVAC supply air temperature reset based on load, upgraded HVAC fan coil motors, and installed demand response controls on HVAC.
• Replaced ballpark ice machines with EnergyStar units.
• Installed demand-control variable speed drives for kitchen hood exhaust fans and temperature on/off controls for exhaust fans.
• Installed plug load controls to shut down equipment in concession stands during non-events reducing energy consumption during times of non-use.
• Added variable speed drives on spa filter pumps.
• Added PC Power Management software to reduce ballpark computer energy use.
• Implemented controls to turn on/off electric hot water heaters based on event needs, installed a smaller ¡°pony¡± chilled water heat exchanger to reduce CW use on non-event days, reduced CHW pump speed with variable speed drives and controls optimization.