SEATTLE, Wash. – Today, Lumen Field, home of the Seattle Seahawks, announced the achievement of full TRUE Gold Certification under the Total Resource Use and Efficiency (TRUE) rating system. The achievement was celebrated in front of a sold-out crowd during a special in-game moment at Sunday's Seahawks vs. Vikings game. The venue previously announced its TRUE precertification in December 2024. Administered by Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI), the world's leading sustainability and health certification and credentialing body, TRUE certification is a leadership standard that recognizes zero waste performance through sustainable resource management and waste reduction methods.
"Being a global leader in sustainable practices continues to be one of Lumen Field's top operational priorities," said Zach Hensley, Seahawks Vice President of Operations and General Manager of Lumen Field. "We are thrilled to demonstrate our continued commitment to the environment and being a zero-waste venue through this achievement."
To achieve TRUE Gold Certification, the Seahawks and Lumen Field were required to track and demonstrate sustainable practices over a one-year period. Through the facility's efforts during this window, the venue's closed-loop recycling program diverted more than 6 million pounds of waste, or 93%, from the landfill. The stadium introduced MRFi sorting technology in 2022, which has streamlined the stadium's ability to sort and properly discard waste, including compost, cardboard, aluminum, and plastic. Since implementation, the stadium has reduced waste sorting time following events from five days to 36 hours. When the stadium first began waste tracking in 2006, the facility recorded a diversion rate of only 4.66%.
"We congratulate Mr. Hensley and the Lumen Field team for achieving this impressive milestone," said Peter Templeton, President and CEO of the U.S. Green Building Council and GBCI. "Lumen Field is only the second NFL venue to achieve TRUE certification, setting an example for stadiums worldwide to create positive environmental, health, and economic outcomes. Attaining a 93% waste diversion rate while reducing waste sorting time by 70% is a true sign of the team's commitment and leadership."
For their commitment to sustainability, the Seahawks and Lumen Field have also been awarded the 2024 Green Sports Alliance Energy Player Award and 2025 Green Sports Alliance Waste Champion Award.
First & Goal Inc. operates the Lumen Field stadium complex, which includes Lumen Field and the 325,000 sq. ft. Lumen Field Event Center, and WAMU Theater. Lumen Field, which opened in 2002, is home to three professional sports teams – the NFL's Seattle Seahawks, the MLS' Seattle Sounders, and the NWSL's Seattle Reign FC. Lumen Field and the Lumen Field Event Center host more than 300 event days per year and attract more than 2 million attendees annually. In addition to premier full-stadium concerts, corporate events and community gatherings, Lumen Field will host six international soccer matches as part of the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup.
