SPARTANBURG, S.C. - The Southern Conference, through its multimedia rights partner SoCon Sports Marketing, an IMG College property, and Waste Management (NYSE: WM), the largest waste and environmental services company in North America, today announced an agreement making Waste Management the Official Environmental Partner of the Conference.
As part of the three-year agreement, Waste Management will expand its waste and recycling operations on several Southern Conference campuses and at athletic events, as well as develop sustainability initiatives to engage students, faculty, alumni, and the surrounding communities.
"We are excited to sign a sponsorship agreement with Waste Management as the Official Environmental Partner of the Conference," said John Iamarino, Southern Conference Commissioner. "We thank Waste Management for its commitment to providing a 'green solution' for the campuses in our Conference and are confident in its ability to make a positive impact on our fans."
Waste Management currently serves two Southern Conference schools, Furman in Greenville, SC, and Samford in Birmingham, AL, where it provides comprehensive environmental services including recycling and other on-campus waste diversion initiatives. As part of the agreement, which began in July 2010, the company will work closely with the Conference to expand its environmental initiatives to additional schools.
"We applaud the Southern Conference's emphasis on developing college student-athletes and helping them become lifelong leaders and role models," said Paul Pistono, vice president of Waste Management's Public Sector Solutions. "Waste Management is proud to be working with the Southern Conference to help its member campuses become more sustainable, protect the environment and save money by minimizing, recycling and diverting waste as well as advance other environmental solutions."
The program was announced prior to America Recycles Day which is Monday, November 15.
About Waste Management
Waste Management, based in Houston, Texas, is the leading provider of comprehensive waste management services in North America. Our subsidiaries provide collection, transfer, recycling and resource recovery, and disposal services. We are also the largest recycler in North America and a leading developer, operator and owner of waste-to-energy and landfill gas-to-energy facilities in the United States. Our customers include residential, commercial, industrial, and municipal customers throughout North America.