ESPN Winter X Games 12 is stepping it up its Green profile, adding new features and programs that will make it one of the most environmentally-sound action sports events ever.

Scheduled for January 24-27 at Buttermilk Mountain in Aspen, Colo., Winter X Games 12 will build on the successful X Games Environmentality (XGE) program to reduce waste through recycling and composting and cut greenhouse gas emissions through the use of alternative fuels. Sustainable materials will be used wherever possible and an educational outreach initiative for fans, staff and vendors will include opportunities to contribute to XGE’s efforts to ensure Winter X Games 12 limits its environmental impact.

Returning for the second year, fans and participants at Buttermilk Mountain will be asked to get in on the eco-action through the TRASHed Recycling Store at X Fest. Fans who “get caught recycling” during the games will be rewarded with tokens they can redeem for valuable prizes at the TRASHed Recycling Store. At last summer’s X Games 13, the “get caught recycling” program produced solid results with over 7,000 beverage containers being voluntarily recycled by fans in exchange for fun, environmentally-friendly prizes.

An ambitious waste reduction plan will also be put into play. Specialized receptacles will be available throughout the venue for fans to recycle beverage containers and compost biodegradable materials, such as food waste and paper products. Behind the scenes, additional measures will be taken to recycle paper, cardboard, electronics, construction material and plastic shrink wrap. Last year, nearly 70% of event waste was diverted from Aspen area landfills to be processed at specialized facilities. The goal is to again beat this record.

XGE is also committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and will encourage fans to use biofuel-powered RFTA shuttle buses. Biodiesel, a renewable, nontoxic and biodegradable fuel, also powers snowcats and heavy equipment used at Buttermilk. Use of biodiesel produces fewer emissions than traditional gasoline, helping to combat climate change. Kitchen grease from the staff catering facilities will also be recycled into biodiesel. To further reduce the event’s carbon footprint, XGE is also planting a selection of trees on behalf of all athletes participating in Winter X Games 12.

XGE also extends into green purchasing and use of environmentally sensitive materials throughout event venues whenever possible. The event media guide is printed on 100 percent post-consumer, recycled paper and uses a recycled plastic binding. In the staff catering area, cups, plates and napkins are made from renewable and compostable materials, including PLA plastic made from corn and Bagasse, a fiber made from sugarcane by-product.

Aspen/Snowmass has been the Winter X Games host since 2002 and the event will remain there through 2010. Efforts made in the areas of habitat protection and enhancement, energy and water efficiency, green development, waste management, recycling and alternative transportation are what elevated Aspen Skiing Company to serve as the country’s Green Leader in the mountain resort industry.

For more information, visit www.xgamesenvironmentality.com.

WINTER X GAMES 12
ESPN and ABC will feature 15 hours of live programming January 24 – January 27. ESPN2 will present daily late-night highlight programs January 25 – January 28, resulting in 19 total hours of original programming for Winter X Games 12. Additionally, the Winter X Games will also be televised on ESPN’s International networks to more than 121 countries and territories in Latin America, the Pacific Rim, Middle East, Africa and Israel. SportsCenter, ESPN’s flagship daily news program, will report from Aspen/Snowmass starting Thursday, January 24 through Sunday, January 27. Each of those nights, the 11 p.m. ET SportsCenter will contain event coverage from Winter X Games 12.

ESPN, The Worldwide Leader in Action Sports, first developed its X Games franchise in 1995. As part of the ESPN Original Entertainment division, X Games, Winter X Games and All Access are just some of the original action sports programming currently shown on ESPN and ESPN2. The brand has also grown to include international X Games events, EXPN.com, EXPN Radio, the large format film ESPN's Ultimate X, and various X Games-branded retail products.

DISNEY’S ENVIRONMENTALITY™ is a fundamental ethic that blends business growth with the conservation of natural resources. Attention to the environment drives new business initiatives demonstrating how environmental stewardship goes hand-in-hand with bottom line cost savings. Proactive efforts that extend beyond compliance with environmental laws and regulations direct the course of Environmentality: Reducing greenhouse gas emission, responsibly managing waste, conserving energy, reducing our impact on ecosystems and inspiring others to action all significant components that contribute to the success of this program.

ASPEN SKIING COMPANY
Aspen Skiing Company operates the four mountains in the Aspen/Snowmass area - Snowmass, Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk - as well as the award-winning Ski & Snowboard Schools of Aspen/Snowmass. The area offers unparalleled nightlife and off-slope activities as well. Aspen/Snowmass is accessible by two of the most convenient airports in the mountains - Aspen Pitkin County Airport (ASE) (3 miles from Aspen) and Eagle County Regional Airport (EGE) (70 miles from Aspen). For more information on Aspen Skiing Company, please call 800-525-6200 or 970-925-1220, or visit the company’s website at www.aspensnowmass.com