Speedway Gets New Recycling Strategy

CONCORD, N.C. -- Hundreds of thousands of fans will visit Lowe's Motor Speedway over the two race weekends, and they will leave a lot of trash. But this year, it won't all end up in a landfill.

Fans at Lowe's Motor Speedway are thirsty for more than just good racing. On these warm spring days they guzzle water, soda and beer. That's a huge amount of plastic and aluminum that usually goes into the trash. Now they'll end up in these red bins.

Lauri Wilks is an Executive Vice President at the track. She says they brought in red containers, donated by Budweiser, so fans can help recycle aluminum or plastic. They have signs encouraging people to use them, and Speedway officials are making announcements over the loud speakers.

She says the track just started this recycle program because they don't have time to sort out recyclables themselves. They need fans to help.

“It’s been a real challenge coming up with this recycling program. Think about it. We have 200,000 people who are here. We have a tight time frame to clean up the grandstands and campgrounds,” she said.

At the campgrounds they are handing out bags and pamphlets asking fans to use them to collect cans and bottles.

Also new this year, the food service provider will use biodegradable and compostable plates and napkins.

The Speedway even recycled some seats, taking them from the Charlotte Coliseum before it was torn down. It's a new way of thinking at the track.

All the money the track gets for its recycled material will go to the Speedway Children's Charities.