The Pittsburgh Steelers are, again, Super Bowl Champions. For the sixth time in the team’s storied history, the boys in gold and black were successful in their quest for the title this past Sunday, and they are sure celebrating in a sustainable style. It is unfortunate that our Philadelphia Eagles could not have me them in the Super Bowl, but fans can take some solace in the fact that the Pittsburgh Steelers have produced the first 100% organic Championship T-Shirt, available at the teams website here.
In the 43 year history of the league, no other team has had the foresight or will to produce such an eco-friendly garment, and as most people call the National Football League a “copycat” league, we can be sure that Super Bowl gear in the future will only be more eco-friendly and environmentally sustainable.
The current Super Bowl Champions T-Shirt features the full-color team logo, the NFL shield and the Super Bowl XLIII Champions graphic. The material used is 100% organic cotton untainted by the toxic pesticides commonly used on conventional crops. As well, the hang tags and stickers are made from recycled materials, and the small green aloe chain stitch that runs along the shoulder and inside neck seams lets you know that the shirt has very little environmental impact.
If the Eagles had made it to the Super Bowl and, by some miracle, pulled out a victory, it is safe to say that their Championship garb would have been just as, if not more, eco-friendly than the Steelers. The reason this is obvious is the Eagles ‘Go Green’ campaign, which at the time it was launched in 2003, was the only program by a professional sports team that addressed responsibility for the environment and its role in the community.
Since then, the initiative has incorporated green initiatives, sustainable business practices and educational programs into the team’s core operating principals. The program’s mission statement focuses heavily on the region and the fans therein, explaining that their goal is to “To create and sustain Championship Performance on the field and in the community through programs that promote the quality of life in our region, GREEN the environment to improve our impact on the planet, and enhance our profitability as a business.”
The program has more than met these expectations, and for their efforts, the Philadelphia Eagles have been nominated as a Finalist for the Philadelphia Sustainability Awards, which will be presented on March 2, at the Philadelphia Flower Show. The Eagles are not just environmentally conscious; they are proactive in the fight against climate change.
The team uses post-consumer paper products, organic and pesticide-free materials on the playing and practice fields, and has replaced plastic cups and utensils with products made from corn-based substitutes. They also use the cooking fats from their kitchens by recycling them into bio-diesel fuel. The Eagles purchased 14 kilowatt hours of wind power in 2008, which will allow them to run the NovaCare Training Complex, as well as Lincoln Financial Field all year long.
The actions of both the Philadelphia Eagles and the Pittsburgh Steelers go to show that the green movement is reaching a larger and more enthusiastic audience. As these two football behemoths rumble down a path of increased environmental sustainability, the rest of the league will have to sit up and take notice that green is a bigger force than originally imagined.
GREENandSAVE.com is a free resource for anyone that wants to save energy, money, and the environment. The articles, product reviews, online tools, and return on investment calculations are researched from a diverse range of public and private sector sources. Overall, the company is passionate about saving money as well as creating healthy homes, offices, and lifestyles.
For those interested in purchasing the Steelers’ 100% Organic Championship shirt, the link is listed above, but for the fan who wants to get out there and Go Green with the Eagles, check out their website and get moving.
However, if you want Go Green on your own, there are plenty of tips and suggestions at GREENandSAVE.com that can help you make a difference, as well as save $500 in under an hour. Or, for those who want to make their clothing or bedspreads more natural and organic, check out the GREENandSAVE section on a GREEN Lifestyle.
