The Green Sports Alliance will formally support the sustainability efforts of the NFL after the league agreed to become an official member.

Cleveland Browns, Denver Broncos and Miami Dolphins are among the NFL franchises to already be part of the Alliance, but the new membership deal will see the organisation (chaired by Scott Jenkins, the general manager of Atlanta Falcons’ Mercedes-Benz Stadium) work more broadly with the NFL Environmental Programme.

Over the past 25 years, the NFL has grown its sustainability portfolio in areas such as sustainable food, waste reduction, community forestry programmes and sport equipment donation.

Last year, the Green Sports Alliance honoured Jack Groh, director of the NFL’s Environmental Programme, for his work greening various NFL events, including the Super Bowl.

“Professional sports organisations compete in many areas,” said NFL senior vice president of social responsibility, Anna Isaacson.” But sustainability is one area where the interests of all organisations converge.

“Protecting our shared environment and preserving it for the future generations is a common goal that we all can support and upon which we can cooperate and share resources and best practices.”

The NFL will also sponsor the Green Sports Celebration at the 2018 Green Sports Alliance Summit, taking place in Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium later this month.