UNC Athletics releases sustainability report, highlights efforts with REPREVE

More than 250,000 plastic bottles have been recycled through the 18-month collaboration

University of North Carolina Athletics released its sustainability report highlighting environmental efforts throughout campus including a university-wide 12 percent increase in collected recycling materials.

Unifi Inc., makers of REPREVE, teamed up with UNC in 2014 to raise awareness among student, faculty, fans and alumni about recycling and how UNIFI transforms plastic bottles into cool REPREVE-based products from some of the world’s favorite brands. REPREVE and UNC Athletics have recycled more than 250,000 plastic bottles through REPREVE events alone.

UNC Athletics has other sustainability initiatives in addition to its work with REPREVE, such as the reduction of energy and water use. Some of these measures include:

• Increased number of recycling bins at athletic events
• Use of reclaimed water for athletic fields, which is eventually expected to save 10 million gallons of potable water annually
• Installation of low-flow toilets that reduce water consumption by up to 30 percent per flush

REPREVE is a recycled fiber made from plastic bottles that can be found in brands like Ford, Volcom, The North Face, Haggar and Oak Hall Cap & Gown.