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It’s More than a Sign: Three Ways Ball and KSE are Helping Advance Sustainability in Ball Arena

February 23, 2022

In 2020, Ball Corporation and Kroenke Sports & Entertainment (KSE) established a first-of-its-kind partnership to advance sustainability in sports and entertainment, which included naming rights for Ball Arena, home to the NBA's Denver Nuggets, NHL's Colorado Avalanche and NLL's Colorado Mammoth, alongside family entertainment and concerts.

The partners recently revealed the new signage for Ball Arena, but this partnership was founded on a vision that is far more impactful than a sign on a very special building. It was the vision to help change the way sports & entertainment thinks about sustainability and the fan experience.

Interior of Ball Arena
Credit: Garrett Ellwood

Here are some exciting ways Ball and KSE are helping reduce plastic waste and bringing fans a more environmentally friendly fan experience at Ball Arena.

1. Changing Fan Behavior – Eliminating single-use plastic

Since the Colorado Avalanche opening night, more than 350,000 single-use plastic cups and bottles have been eliminated and replaced by infinitely recyclable aluminum cans, cups and bottles. Ball Arena is on pace to eliminate more than 1 million single-use plastic cups and bottles in 2022.

2. Building the Business Case – Strengthening in-venue aluminum recycling

Team Aluminum collecting empty cans
Credit: Garett Ellwood

Ball and KSE have recycled more than 40,000 pounds of aluminum by placing over 250 recycling bins around the arena for convenience and launching Team Aluminum, a program that enlists on-site ambassadors who make recycling easy by collecting recyclables during games using backpacks. Through 17 games, Team Aluminum has collected more than 16,300 aluminum cups, cans and bottles.

3. Talking to the Fans – Providing recycling education

Through the Green Assists program, the partners donated more than 450 recycling-themed  children’s books to several locations across Denver including Little Free Libraries and drive-thru events. The program has provided an opportunity for classrooms, schools and the broader community to take steps to be more environmentally friendly through activity handouts. In addition, Green Assists provides direct funding to the community through the Assists program, where three local non-profits receive donations per Assist scored by the Avalanche, Nuggets and Mammoth.