Olympic Competitors Score in Sustainability
As first reported by Mother Nature Network, several of this year’s Olympic athletes don’t have to wait for the snow to melt to see green.
While some have taken steps to promote recycling , composting and renewable energy, there are a few standouts that have taken green to a whole new level.
U.S. snowboarder Gretchen Bleiler takes green to the slopes as her gear features recycled materials. Photo: Flickr/TylerIngram
U.S. skier Shannon Bahrke is the co-founder of Silver Bean Coffee in Utah. Silver Bean offers a line of sustainable coffee that includes organic and fair trade blends, and all beans are hand roasted without the use of any electronics.
Founded in 2008, Bahrke is looking to expand Silver Bean Coffee’s operation after this year’s Olympic games.
In the snowboarding world, Gretchen Bleiler makes an impact even while she’s on the slopes. She was offered the chance to design Oakley’s first line of clothing for athletes, and her involvement resulted in both a jacket and pants made from 100 percent recycled polyester.
Recycled polyester clothing is not a new phenomenon, as it is a viable option for PETE bottles in the recycling stream. When PETE is ground into pellets, it can then be blended with wool yarn to produce recycled fabric.
Read more about the 2010 Winter Olympics:
Hottest in Green: 2010 Winter Olympics
Your Old Computer Could Be an Olympic Medal
- (02/07/2010). "Athletes venture into business world " NBC Sports http://www.nbcolympics.com/news-features/news/newsid=259595.html.
- Aimee Berg. (03/03/2009). "Bahrke Siblings: He Jumps, She Bumps" United States Olympic Committee http://skiing.teamusa.org/news/2009/03/03/bahrke-siblings-he-jumps-she-bumps/10224 .
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Joe Ascanio
posted on February 12th, 2010 at 8:45 am
For 2010, VANOC is really going above and beyond what prior host organizations have instituted to not only support sustainability at the Olympic Games, but geo-cultural sensitivity as well – using themes like responsible corporate sponsorship, cultural endorsements and alternative energy sources.
I think one of the coolest ideas are the recycled medals: http://www.terracurve.com/2010/02/08/how-green-is-the-2010-winter-olympics/