For fans who with an eye on the environment, there are plenty of ways to make tailgate parties a bit more eco-friendly, such as buying beer in cans instead of bottles and serving organic meat. Staff photos by Michael Schweitzer

The beginning of every football season marks the end of summer, which means school has officially started across the nation, the leaves will soon be changing colors and the temperature will start to gradually drop. Along with all those changes, football season also brings about what many fans consider the best part of attending the games — tailgating.

In less than 24 hours, Snyder Family Stadium's parking lot will be flooded with more than 50,000 fans, most clad in purple, and most participating in some form of tailgating activities.

But fans should face the facts. Tailgating is good for the economy but bad for the environment. Having millions of fans flocking to football stadiums across the country to gather together to eat, drink and prepare to watch their favorite team in battle on the football field creates tons of garbage that eventually ends up sitting in landfills or garbage dumps. 

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