The Milwaukee Brewers will highlight the environmentally advanced features of Miller Park and how the ballpark is run during the team's inaugural "Green Week" from June 20-26, as the Brewers will launch their "Brewing a Greener Game" sustainability initiative.

Since the beginning of the 2010 season, the Brewers -- in collaboration with Johnson Controls -- have enhanced their measures to green up their overall operations in all areas from increased recycling and energy efficiency to purchasing environmentally friendly products.

"This is a comprehensive program that involves sustained efforts across the board by the Brewers and many of our partners," said Brewers Chief Operating Officer Rick Schlesinger. "Our Green Week will bring attention to the initiatives we are implementing, and it represents a long and committed process to becoming an environmental leader in our industry."

When the Brewers host the Tampa Bay Rays and Minnesota Twins at Miller Park, June 20-26, the Club will showcase many of those measures and emphasize the importance of environmental sustainability through green-themed promotions and community events. Green Week is presented by the City of Milwaukee's Milwaukee Energy Efficiency (Me2) program.

"The City of Milwaukee Office of Environmental Sustainability applauds the Milwaukee Brewers for their environmental leadership and stewardship," said Matt Howard, City of Milwaukee Director of Environmental Sustainability. "The Brewers demonstrate that it's possible to take actions that are good for business and the environment. We hope that businesses and households throughout the City of Milwaukee follow the Brewers example to make a more sustainable city."

Green Week will begin on Monday, June 20 with a 7:10 p.m. game vs. the Tampa Bay Rays. Brewers Community Foundation will present a check to the Urban Ecology Center in a pre-game, on field ceremony that night. The Urban Ecology Center, which has two locations in Milwaukee, is an environmental education organization whose mission includes protecting and using public natural areas, and providing outdoor science education for urban youth.

On Tuesday, June 21, the Brewers will host an eCycling event in collaboration with Waste Management. From 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. that day, fans may drop off up to five household items of unused or unwanted computer and electronic equipment. A full list of acceptable items can be found under the eCycling tab at brewers.com/brewinggreen. Items not accepted include televisions, appliances (i.e., refrigerators, microwaves, air conditioners, etc.) and commercial electronics. No fees will apply and all permissible electronics will be accepted in any condition. In return, the first 500 fans to recycle at this event will receive a buy-one, get-one free Brewers ticket offer.

On Wednesday, June 22, the Brewers will team up with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) to plant their commitment to the "Root, Root, Root for the Brewers Plant-A-Tree" program. Through the program, the Brewers will purchase one tree for every 20,000 tickets sold, offsetting the number of trees used to print the Club's 2011 regular season tickets. The trees will be planted along the Hank Aaron State Trail.

In addition, that same day the Club and the WDNR will distribute 7,500 spruce seedlings to fans as they exit the ballpark following the 1:10 p.m. game vs. the Rays. The seedling giveaway is in honor of the 2011 WDNR's nursery program centennial. During the past 100 years, the Wisconsin State nurseries have produced more than 1.5 billion tree seedlings to help reduce soil erosion, provide habitat for wildlife, and remove carbon from the air.

On Thursday, June 23 - while an off-day for the team on the field - Brewers employees will take part in a waste cleanup and invasive species removal along the Hank Aaron State Trail and Menomonee River in the vicinity of Miller Park.

Green Week will then continue at the ballpark when the Minnesota Twins come to town. On Friday, June 24, the first 10,000 fans for the 7:10 p.m. game will receive a reusable bag presented by Sentry Foods and Dean's Milk and Ice Cream.

FS Wisconsin will join in the fun on Saturday, June 25 with a green-themed broadcast of the Brewers vs. Twins game (a 6:10 p.m. first pitch with pre-game coverage beginning at 5:30 p.m. on FS Wisconsin). Community features will focus on Green Week events and the on-air talent will sport green jackets throughout the evening.

Green Week will conclude on Sunday, June 26 with a "Bike to the Ballpark" event, organized by the Friends of Hank Aaron State Trail and Menomonee Valley Partners, prior to the 1:10 p.m. start against the Twins. Fans interested in participating in this free event must register at one of two locations - the Harley-Davidson Museum (6th and Canal Street, west parking lot) or the Wisconsin State Fair Park and Ride (76th and Kearney Streets ) - beginning at 10 a.m. on the morning of the ride. Fans will then bike the Hank Aaron State Trail to Miller Park. The first 500 participants to finish the ride will receive a commemorative water bottle and a voucher for two free tickets to a future Brewers game. Tickets to the June 26 game against the Twins must be purchased separately. Individuals participating in the Bike to the Ballpark event are not required to attend the game.

During the entirety of Green Week at Miller Park, sustainability will be promoted through other avenues such as scoreboard messaging and the Brewers Gameday magazine, which will be printed on recycled paper using soy-based inks. Sportservice will also offer, on its menu, an organic hamburger locally distributed by Organic Prairie Family of Farms of La Farge, Wisconsin. The hamburgers come from cows that consume only 100% natural, pesticide-free feed.

Since embarking on a more comprehensive sustainability program last season, the Brewers increased its recycling from an average of 15.5 tons in 2009 to an average of 98.4 tons in 2010. In April 2011, the Club's recycling figures have already increased 12% from April 2010. Other significant measures include:

• Diverting 35% of the team's waste from landfills since the start of the 2010 season
• Recycling 15 tons on average at Miller Park each game
• Adding over 100 recycling containers inside Miller Park, with 40 more outside the facility
• Tracking energy usage and emissions through the EPA's ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager program
• Ensuring that over 75% of the small electronics/computers/TVs purchased in 2011 were ENERGY STAR- rated.
• Implementing low-flush aerators, which will save approximately 9 million gallons of water per year
• Installing the new 5,940 square foot high-definition scoreboard which uses 49% of the its predecessor's power requirement
• Spending more than 30% of food and beverage product cost with local vendors (less impact of transportation on the environment)
• Ensuring that more than 50% of all cleaning products and materials meet sustainability criteria, i.e., products that use more recycled content paper and plastics, and preserve the indoor air quality
• Diverting 80% of the waste generated from the scoreboard and other 2010-11 offseason construction projects from landfills