Environmentally conscious individuals are taking the time to reduce their carbon footprint on a daily basis by making better and greener decisions. Adopting more eco-friendly habits is something that will develop over time, but it can start with something as little as using water filtration bottles or reusable grocery bags. These little efforts make a big difference.

Every person that's living a greener life is making a long-term difference in the world, but the changes need to be made at a bigger level. One place where changes are being adopted and embraced is in the sports stadium. Stadiums have been huge waste generators for years, but here's how some stadiums are going from part of the problem to a greener eco-arena.

Saving Energy with Sustainable Sources

Some of the newer stadiums that are being erected around the nation use more than just fossil fuel energy to power the bright lights and the video boards that the arena needs for an exciting fan experience. Thankfully, eco-arenas focus on sustainability and are not 100 percent reliant on carbon emitting sources.

Metlife Stadium set the precedent for green initiatives by making a commitment to operate a sustainable stadium, and others are following suit. More and more stadiums are using solar panels, wind turbines, and cooking oil for biodiesel fuel just so that they save electrical use. Stadiums like Lincoln Financial Field have installed 11,000 solar panels as a part of their "Go Green" campaign that has made a real difference in Philadelphia energy consumption.

Reflective Rooftops and Plant Life Insulation

Another way to curb consumption is to use different materials in the construction of the stadium. When the roof is allowing heat transference or cold influxes into the open space, more has to be spent to control the temperature in the environment. This is why some arenas use reflective rooftops to combat the temperature-rising UVs and plant life to help insulate the interior space.

Implementing Recycling Programs

No state requires a team or an arena to recycle but recycling programs are being implemented more and more. By placing more recycling bins throughout the arena and putting signs that encourage recycling all throughout the bathrooms and the concession areas, teams like the Diamondbacks have recycled 95 tons of material in just 9 months. This dramatically reduces waste.

Sports teams generate so much revenue each year. Since sports are a huge form of entertainment in the US, efforts made in the arena to become green can trickle down to fans. Each year, more and more arenas will go from energy hogs to eco-arenas that consume only sustainable energy.