Bayer04.de has put together a list of current and significant measures in and around the BayArena.
lighting at the BayArena
From this season, Bayer 04 has a partner for state-of-the-art energy-saving lighting in the company ‘Ledvance’. Swapping the lighting at the BayArena and in a lot of other buildings on the site for LED lighting has had a positive effect on energy use. In addition, the operational life of many facilities has been improved many times over.
external lighting at the BayArena
There is also targeted use of lighting in the external areas at the stadium: If there are no events at the BayArena, only footpath lighting is in operation during the evening and is completely switched off from midnight. Only in exceptional cases, such as darkness in winter, the lighting is switched on again at six in the morning to ensure traffic safety. The two big signs at the BayArena including the Bayer Cross on the roof of the stadium will be completely switched off until further notice. Lighting is principally only used when that is required for matches or security.
ELECTRICITY CONSUMPTION
Bayer 04 has only used certified green electricity since 2015. The club reacted early to the massive increase in energy prices and purchased supplies for the next two years in good time.
SOLAR PANELS
The roofs of the garages and storage buildings in and around the BayArena have long provided a storage facility for energy thanks to state-of-the-art solar panels. Solar energy also powers the newly introduced electric mowers used by the grounds staff. At the moment, the roof of the BayArena cannot be used to site solar panels due to structural restrictions.
HEATING
Bayer 04 believes in ecological sustainability with heating and that starts with the most important place in football: the pitch. In order to guarantee trouble-free training and matches over the whole year undersoil heating at the pitches in and around the BayArena is indispensable (and also prescribed by the German Football League (DFL)). To ensure the best possible use of energy, the undersoil heating is linked to a weather station and the prevailing conditions. This approach has achieved a two thirds reduction in the use of heating energy. In addition, lava stone grit under the turf at the stadium also saves additional energy.
other sustainable solutions at Bayer 04
WATER USE
In addition to undersoil heating, the watering of pictures is of crucial significance in ensuring the required match and training conditions. Bayer 04 also follows a considered and rational use of resources in this area and only waters the pitches with water from the club water storage facility rather than valuable drinking water. The staff at Bayer 04 have recently been supplied with access to drinking water with a system that avoids the use (and transport) of plastic bottles.
WASTE MANAGEMENT
Recycling is an important component of modern waste management. Accordingly, Bayer 04 has recently invested in two composting facilities that converts grass cuttings into compost that is rich in nutrients. Food waste from all events at the BayArena is also recycled in this way.
E-MOBILITY
Four charging stations for electric cars were installed at the south entrance to the stadium in 2021 and plans are underway to introduce others.
