DIVERTING OVER 2.3 MILLION POUNDS OF WASTE IN THREE YEARS
(AUSTIN, TX – April 22, 2025) – Moody Center, the entertainment powerhouse located in the heart of the “Live Music Capital of the World,” shares significant milestones in its ongoing commitment to sustainability. In just three years, the venue has diverted an impressive 2,318,359 pounds of waste from landfills (including projections through April 2025), establishing itself as a leader in green operations within the Texas sports and entertainment industry.
This remarkable achievement is underpinned by Moody Center’s fully operational, in-house sorting center – one of the few large-scale venues in Texas to boast such a facility. Built from the ground up over the past three years, this initiative has not only significantly improved the venue’s diversion rate but has also created 60 new part-time jobs.
The venue has seen a consistent upward trend in its waste diversion efforts. Moody Center now maintains an 80% diversion rate, marking a 46% increase since opening in 2022.
The 3-year Sustainability Snapshot includes:
- 876,684 lbs of recyclable materials (bottles, plastic film, cardboard, etc.)
- 1,347,700 lbs of compostable materials (eco serveware, food scraps, etc.)
- 53,975 lbs of donations to local businesses and non-profit organizations (hygiene products, canned food, sports equipment, etc.)
Beyond waste management, Moody Center has also made significant strides in water and energy conservation. In 2024, the venue reduced water usage by more than 20% (-2,084,200 gallons) compared to 2023. Furthermore, by maintaining a 100% LED lighted building and implementing year-round energy conservation practices such as event mode vs. dark mode schedules for lighting and mechanical systems, the arena has achieved a 60% reduction in energy consumption on non-event days.
Moody Center’s dedication to sustainability has been recognized through numerous accolades, including:
- 17 GOAL Medals (6 Gold, 9 Silver, 2 Bronze) for excellence in sustainability in the sports & entertainment industry.
- Austin Green Business Leader, Platinum Status (awarded by the City of Austin’s Office of Climate Action & Resilience).
- Greater Austin Business Awards, Environmental Champion Finalist (nominated by the Austin Chamber of Commerce).
H-E-B Partnership Elevates Sustainability Initiatives
A significant boost to Moody Center’s sustainability efforts comes through its official partnership with H-E-B. This collaboration has facilitated upgrades to the venue’s 3-stream waste bin system, enhanced recycling signage, improved fan education, and supported the sorting operation.
“Our partnership with Moody Center is about leveraging two strong brands to elevate the importance of recycling within the venue” said Becca Molloy, Senior Marketing Manager of HEB. “We care about it and want to help customers recycle cleaner too. That’s why we re-skinned the bins for better visibility and often reward customers who use them with H-E-B gift cards and are working to educate fans on proper waste disposal to keep our streams clean for a greener Texas. Keeping recyclables and compostable material out of landfills helps beautify our land, water, and air” continued Molloy.
A key initiative stemming from this partnership is the plastic film recycling program with the local H-E-B Hancock store on E 41st in Austin. Since its launch in October 2024, this program has successfully diverted 3,000 lbs of plastic film away from landfills. More information on this process can be found at https://ourtexasourfuture.com/plastic-bag-recycling/.
Engaging Fans Through Earth Fest
Since opening in April 2022, Moody Center has hosted more than 600 events, welcomed over 3.5 million fans, and been home to 200+ sellouts. In just this past year, the venue grossed more than $126 million and has played host to global icons as well as the many rising stars and genre-defying acts who’ve brought unforgettable nights to Austin.
To further celebrate its environmental commitment during Earth Month, Moody Center is hosting an Earth Fest pre-party on the Brown Distributing Texas Terrace prior to select April shows: Charli XCX (April 22 & 23), J Balvin (April 24), and Linkin Park (April 26). Festivities will include sustainability-themed cocktails, trivia, tabling by local environmental organizations, and recycling drives where fans can donate old electronics and/or any kind of plastic bag for expedited entry and a chance to win a seat upgrade.
“We are incredibly proud of the progress we’ve made in establishing Moody Center as a sustainable venue,” said Ciera Culcasi, Sustainability Coordinator at Moody Center. “Our team has worked tirelessly to build a robust infrastructure and cultivate a culture of environmental responsibility. The support of partners like H-E-B and the engagement of our fans are crucial as we continue to elevate our green initiatives and set a positive example for the industry.”
For more information about Moody Center and a list of all upcoming events, visit moodycenteratx.com.
About Moody Center
Moody Center provides the nation’s 10th-largest city with a premier venue to host the biggest artists and acts on the planet. Designed specifically for concerts, the new arena is home to The University of Texas Women’s and Men’s basketball games, family shows, and other sporting and community events. Moody Center is the first of its kind in the industry with an unrivaled partnership between Oak View Group, Live Nation/C3 Presents, The University of Texas at Austin, and Minister of Culture, Matthew McConaughey. Moody Center has been recently named the Arena of the Year by Pollstar and by the Academy of Country Music. For additional information and news, follow @moodycenteratx on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, YouTube, and Tik Tok.
Moody Center Media Contact:
Grace Powlas
Director of Marketing & Public Relations