The start of cooler weather means fall is here and for many, that also means the start of a very important season— football season! Whether you follow your local high school, college, or professional team, you likely enjoy all the festivities that come with it. This may include wearing your favorite jersey to every game, getting together with friends for a viewing party at home, or partaking in the tradition of tailgating.

Tailgating is a favorite pastime of football fans, but can unfortunately result in lots of debris left behind. Thankfully, there are many ways in which you can still enjoy this football season pastime without contributing to marine debris. If you can, reduce the amount of waste you produce by bringing reusable cups, plates, and utensils. You probably don’t even need a plate for most of the finger food you’re bringing along—those hot dogs, burgers, and sandwiches will likely be such a hit that they’ll be consumed long before they ever need to be set down. For the waste that’s unavoidable, make sure to have bins or bags dedicated to both recyclables and trash. The most important thing to remember is to leave your tailgating space as you found it (or better!)-- take everything with you and dispose of it properly. You’ll be keeping both our environment and your favorite tailgating spot clean, so that you can enjoy it again and again.