There are few bigger sporting events on the U.S. calendar than the Kentucky Derby. The opening leg of the Triple Crown is run annually on the first Saturday in May, and it has produced some of the most memorable sporting events in North American history.
However, concerns have been increasing throughout modern history surrounding how sustainable the race is becoming, as it has been an international tourist attraction with thousands flying in from across the world.
Furthermore, the sport has been forced to battle questions surrounding what it is doing on track to help Climate Change.
But, recent initiatives put in place indicate that Churchill Downs is taking sustainability at the event very seriously, and you can find out more about some of the ways in which they are doing that below.
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Go Green! Initiative
One of the most popular Derby initiatives that appears to be getting bigger and bigger every year is the Go Green scheme put in place by organisers at Churchill Downs. The program takes hold of the local area around the spring event in May, with many initiatives in place.
It is in operation around all major events linked to the Derby, with green efforts taking place at Kroger’s Fest-a-Vile, the Great Balloon Glow, and Thunder Over Louisville. It is a zero-waste specific campaign focused on ensuring waste is kept to a minimum.
As well as this, the program, sponsored by LG&E, includes a donation bank for food and there are uses for compostable products and on-site recycling. Visitors are encouraged to Go Green by a number of methods during the scheme that revolves around the Kentucky Derby.
Among those include using recycling bins at the events, as well as options to ride bikes and carpool options for those looking to attend Derby events. Companies and business are also encouraged to get involved in the campaign on the official site.
Racetrack Partnering with LG&E
It is clear that Kentucky Derby picks sustainability at the heart of the future of the race after announcing last year that the track has partnered with LG&E and KU. In the process, the company became the first Green Energy partner of both Churchill Downs and the Derby.
The relationship got off to a strong start last year, as the green company sponsored the opening ten races on the opening night.
As part of the agreement, Churchill Downs has agreed to purchase block of Green Energy to ensure that the total energy consumed by the track during Derby week is sustainable. It is very much a step in the right direction, as last year marked the first Green Kentucky Derby in the history of the race.
However, there is always more work to be done. Sustainability efforts remain at the heart of the track’s plans, and there will be long-standing issues that can be combated with the long-term relationship that was agreed last year.
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Climate Friendly Drinking Options
Bourbon and mint juleps are a common trend at the Kentucky Derby, but for many, they opted to go more eco-friendly with their drink selection in 2025. That was achieved at the heart of the operation by Bulleit Bourbon. The distillery only uses renewable electricity at its facility in Lebanon, Kentucky, and it was a popular drink for many at Churchill Downs in 2024.
Sticking with liquid, Churchill Downs has also put water usage at the heart of their operation in the coming years, as it bids to cut down on waste. Furthermore, the track is also working responsibly with partners to manage waste and look to recycle as much as possible around the times of the biggest events, ensuring that the environment at Churchill Downs is safely protected.
Measures in Place at Churchill Downs
Steps have already been taken by Churchill Downs to maintain and improve their Climate Change stamp. That has already been done by the instillation of LED lighting at all tracks owned by the company, including the home of the Kentucky Derby.
The home of the Derby has also seen large pipes installed to act as a storage basin during heavy rainfalls, which has helped reduce an estimated 12 million gallons of overflowing water into the nearby communities.
The track has also implemented schemes within their hospitality kitchens, with eight of the Churchill Downs properties now having oil recycling options, which was reduced the use of cooking oil by around 90,000 annually.
However, the home of the Derby is still committed to reducing their impact on the environment further in the coming years.
Churchill Downs could look to take inspiration from courses across the world when taking their next steps. In the United Kingdom at racecourses such as Cheltenham and Newmarket, there are electric car charging points, which have been operational since 2012. Meanwhile, catering staff also work tirelessly to separate food waste to avoid unnecessary landfill.
