LOCAL ALBUQUERQUE BUSINESS GETS 2018 RECYCLER OF THE YEAR AWARD

THE NEW MEXICO RECYCLING COALITION AWARDS OWNER OF SPORT SYSTEMS AND EMPLOYEES FOR GREEN OPERATIONS

Albuquerque, NM, October 12, 2018

The 6 Rs that transformed Sport Systems into a green working environment are part of it’s every day work culture — reduce, reuse, repair, refurbish, repurpose and recycle.

“Five years ago, I started the initiative to turn Sport Systems into a green culture by asking for employee input on how to further our green operations,” explains Duane Kinsley, owner of Sport Systems. “I was amazed with the ideas employees gave me.”

In 2014, Sport Systems became carbon neutral by installing a 71 kW photovoltaic power system on the roof of the store. The company also provides reusable coffee cups and water bottles. In addition to the daily efforts of traditional recycling of cardboard, mixed paper, plastic and metal cans, Kinsley and employees go beyond. They also: purchase recycled-content; collect used athletic shoes for reuse; supply used bike parts to local artists to make art and jewelry; transform discarded items into things like signs; and repair many usable items like skis for Sport System’s equipment lease program and for resale.

“People here feel good about recycling. In my job, I reuse a lot of stuff,” says Jacob Long, warehouse manager at Sport Systems.

Any items that cannot be reused or repurposed are donated to the artists at Warehouse 508, a non-profit founded by Kinsley in 2009, which provides a venue for non-traditional sports and urban art experiences for Albuquerque’s youth.  All these green initiatives have also decreased the frequency of trash pickup at Sport Systems.

“We have a lot of dedicated employees who take the time to recycle,” added Magi Ezzard,  alumni at Sport Systems.

Kinsley and staff plan to continue pushing green operations by installing stationary bicycles that generate power. Employees will soon pedal to power the microwave to warm their lunch.

“I’m excited we’ve been acknowledged in our efforts, and we will continue to move forward,” says Mary Miller, footwear buyer at Sport Systems.

The recycling awards were presented on September 25th at the New Mexico Recycling and Solid Waste Conference: Local Actions for Global Markets that took place at the Albuquerque Marriott Uptown. 

The conference brought together over 200 individuals working in recycling and solid waste and representing rural and urban municipalities, counties, federal entities, universities, tribes, solid waste associations and businesses.

                  Sport Systems' Store Signage Made From Discarded Snowboards.