This week, the National Basketball Association partners with the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) for their fifth annual “NBA Green Week” to increase awareness and raise funds for protecting the environment.
“The NBA’s commitment to reduce its ecological impact and to help educate basketball fans worldwide about the importance of environmental protection confirms why this league is regarded as one of the world’s most responsible sports organizations,” said NRDC Senior Scientist Allen Hershkowitz, who coordinated the organization’s development of this work. “Besides the tangible public health benefits that this initiative will advance, having the NBA embrace ecological criteria in its operations represents a watershed in our nation’s movement toward environmental progress.”
According to NRDC’s website: “As a result of the NBA Green program many NBA teams are pursuing environmental initiatives at their arenas, including energy efficiency upgrades, increased recycling programs, community projects, and electronic waste recycling events. Many teams are also renovating, designing or retrofitting their facilities in an effort to achieve LEED Certification. To date, five NBA team arenas have received LEED certification: the Portland Trailblazers’ Rose Garden, the Atlanta Hawks’ Philips Arena, the Miami Heat’s American Airlines Arena, the Orlando Magic’s Amway Center, and the Houston Rockets’ Toyota Center”.
The Miami Heat’s AmericanAirlines Arena was the second stadium in the United States to by awarded LEED Certification from the US Green Building Council. Awarded in 2009 for “Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance”, some of the
This year, Miami Heat players Mario Chalmers and Jarvis Varnado joined volunteers from the School of Environment, Arts and Society planting trees and building picnic tables at FIU’s Biscayne Bay Campus as part of the Heat’s annual “Beach Sweep” for the NBA Green Week:
During NBA Green Week 2013, all NBA teams will be wearing adidas shooting shirts made from 100% organic cotton, while official adidas NBA jerseys are made from 60% recycled materials. You can purchase your own 100% organic cotton adidas NBA Green T-shirt or cap from the NBAStore.com.
Other events include Sprint’s “Pledge to Recycle” – take the pledge to recycle your old mobile phones before May 16 to win a trip for two to 2013 NBA finals.
“The NBA’s commitment to reduce its ecological impact and to help educate basketball fans worldwide about the importance of environmental protection confirms why this league is regarded as one of the world’s most responsible sports organizations,” says NRDC Senior Scientist Allen Hershkowitz.
For more information about NBA Green and some excellent tips for living and working green in 2013, visit NBA.com/green