Posted August 5, 2014
DETROIT, Mich. –The Detroit Lions announced Unifi, Inc.’s REPREVE® recycled fiber brand as the team’s new official sustainability partner.
This collaboration makes the Lions the first NFL team to join REPREVE’s #TurnItGreen movement. REPREVE is made from recycled materials, including plastic bottles, and helps make products eco-friendly. The #TurnItGreen initiative supports stadium-based recycling efforts and a consumer education campaign to “Make the Smart Throw,” encouraging fans to toss their bottles into recycling bins instead of trash cans.
Unifi, the makers of REPREVE, is based in Greensboro, N.C. The company transforms plastic bottles into REPREVE recycled fibers that are used by many well-known brands, including Ford, Haggar, Polartec, Quiksilver and Volcom.
Detroit Lions, Unifi’s REPREVE team up on sustainability initiative
On Wednesday, the Lions and REPREVE will kick off #TurnItGreen efforts with a training camp takeover at Ford Field. During practice, the Lions quarterbacks will forgo the traditional red jerseys for REPREVE green jerseys, each made from 21 recycled plastic bottles. Attending fans will receive REPREVE-based #TurnItGreen fan towels made from three recycled bottles along with other REPREVE-based items, including T-shirts and autograph cards.
“This initiative is a reflection of the Ford family’s commitment to leading in the area of sustainability,” said Detroit Lions Team President Tom Lewand. “As an example, through our partnership with REPREVE, we will be expanding to 500 recycling bins throughout Ford Field, making it easy for fans and guests to ‘Make the Smart Throw.’ This collaboration with Unifi and REPREVE will also serve as a platform to educate fans about the quality products that can be made from recycled materials, which will help keep plastic bottles from ending up in landfills.”
REPREVE and the Lions are calling on fans to help the team reach its target 100 percent recycling rate throughout the 2014 season. Achieving this feat will lead to direct benefits for students at the Detroit Lions Academy, who will be awarded with new REPREVE clothing.
“Recycling is critical, yet surprisingly only 30 percent of plastic bottles are recycled in the U.S., significantly less than other countries,” said Roger Berrier, president and COO of Unifi, Inc. “Together with the Detroit Lions, we are working to highlight the ease of in-stadium recycling and showcase the benefits of recycling. Hopefully franchises from all major sports will follow the Lions’ lead and join the #TurnItGreen movement.”
In addition to the REPREVE #TurnItGreen training camp takeover on Aug. 6, the collaboration will include in-stadium activation elements encouraging fans to “Make the Smart Throw.” Throughout the season, there will be a series of #TurnItGreen promotions starting with “Play Catch with the Quarterback,” where fans will have the opportunity to toss the football with Lions quarterbacks prior to the Aug. 6 practice.
Source: Unifi, Inc.