Analyzing Austin FC's Historic Corporate Social Responsibility Initiative

"Clear and consistent reporting fosters transparency, both internally and externally" -Hendrith Vanlon Smith Jr. In this blog, I will focus on the importance of looking at CSR reporting as a primary source of non-financial information to your organization’s shareholders. These reports allow your organization to showcase all of its efforts that do not include making a profit, efforts that tend to be overlooked. In 2024, Austin’s first professional sports team, Austin FC, and their partner, YETI, launched Evergreen. This year-round initiative motivated everyone involved with the team to work towards the goal “of earning True Certification for zero waste through three (3) pillars: Green & Clean, Resource Efficiency, and Waste Diversion.”

The Evergreen Ad Campaign created by Austin FC and YETI

Through being transparent with the initiative and planning with the parties involved, Austin has been working towards this goal by planning tree plantings and cleaning up Festival Beach with their partner Dawn. In early 2024, Cap Metro’s McKalla Station opened up a direct rail to Austin FC’s Stadium, Q2, where there are water stations that provide attendees the ability to sustainably hydrate. Through the Evergreen initiative, Texas Disposal Systems (TDS) partnered with Austin FC and Q2 Stadium to become the fifth sports venue in history to earn a Total Resource Use and Efficiency Gold certification. 

With TDS’s service, Q2 Stadium diverts more than 90% of its waste and has become a zero-waste venue. To maintain this achievement, TDS has also created a sorting system right outside of the Stadium where trash is sorted into recyclables, compostables, and waste. Through careful reporting to shareholders and the Major League Soccer network, Austin FC won the 2024 Mark Abbott MLS Club Award for Sponsorship Activation of the Year.

The Sustainability Team at Austin FC being recognized for their accomplishment

Austin FC was able to manage being a successful MLS team while also taking on this massive CSR initiative in a singular year. As an organization, they prioritized their shareholders, fans, and their cherished stadium for the greater good of everyone involved. To conclude, organizations need to be able to listen to their team, be aware of social issues, and be transparent in their actions in order to plan initiatives that can benefit all parties simultaneously.

Sources

austinfc. “Austin FC Recognized for Commitment to Sustainability  | Austin FC.” Austinfc, 2024, www.austinfc.com/news/austin-fc-recognized-for-commitment-to-sustainability. Accessed 8 Apr. 2025.