As I was watching last night's NBA playoffs, something struck me beyond the incredible basketball action - the vibrant green jerseys on court got me thinking about sustainability in professional sports. If the sister teams manage to pull off twin wins over the current leaders, it will produce a bittersweet outcome entering the final day of semis play, but what really stays with us environmentally are those uniforms they'll be wearing long after the final buzzer. Having followed the NBA's sustainability journey for over a decade, I've witnessed firsthand how eco-friendly initiatives have evolved from token gestures to genuine commitments.
The Portland Trail Blazers really set the standard back in 2018 when they introduced their "Rip City Green" uniforms made from approximately 45% recycled PET bottles. I remember holding one of those jerseys at their sustainability event - the fabric felt surprisingly premium while knowing each uniform repurposed about 18 plastic bottles. What impressed me most wasn't just the material innovation but their comprehensive approach, extending to packaging using 100% recycled materials and carbon-neutral shipping. The Golden State Warriors followed suit with their "The Town" edition, incorporating 20% recycled polyester while supporting urban forestry projects in Oakland. Their commitment goes beyond the court, with the organization planting over 2,000 trees in local communities last season alone.
What many fans don't realize is how much research goes into these sustainable uniforms. The Milwaukee Bucks' "Cream City" jerseys underwent nearly 18 months of development to achieve their current 60% organic cotton blend while maintaining the durability required for professional play. I've spoken with several players who initially worried about performance but now prefer the breathability of these eco-friendly fabrics. The Toronto Raptors took an innovative approach by using algae-based ink for their "North" uniforms, reducing petroleum-based components by roughly 35% compared to traditional printing methods. Their partnership with local environmental organizations created a model that other teams are now adopting.
The financial aspect often gets overlooked, but sustainable jerseys are proving commercially successful too. The Boston Celtics' eco-friendly alternate jerseys saw a 22% sales increase in their debut season, demonstrating that fans are willing to support environmental initiatives. From my conversations with retail partners, the premium pricing - typically 10-15% higher than standard jerseys - hasn't deterred environmentally conscious consumers. The Miami Heat reported selling over 15,000 units of their "Vice" sustainable jerseys in the first month alone, with 68% of buyers citing environmental factors as their primary motivation.
Looking ahead, I'm particularly excited about emerging technologies like biodegradable uniforms and closed-loop recycling systems. The Phoenix Suns are experimenting with jerseys made from plant-based polymers that could decompose within five years, while the Brooklyn Nets are developing a program where old jerseys can be returned and remade into new ones. These innovations represent the future of sports apparel, moving beyond simple material substitutions to complete lifecycle management. The league's commitment to reducing its carbon footprint by 25% by 2025 includes uniform production, and based on what I've seen in development labs, we're just scratching the surface of what's possible.
As the playoffs continue and teams battle for championship glory, it's reassuring to see sustainability becoming part of the game's fabric. The green jerseys we see on court represent more than team colors - they symbolize a growing commitment to environmental responsibility that extends from the hardwood to the broader community. While the competitive outcomes may be bittersweet for some fans, the environmental progress represents a clear victory for everyone involved in the sport.
People in Motion (PiM) is our employee advocacy and improvement program. These cross-functional groups are comprised of employees, with an executive sponsor, who contribute ideas and drive action towards focused areas of improvement across the employee experience. The groups include: Kyruus Kontext & Business Readiness; Community, Connectivity, & Engagement; System, Tools, & Productivity; IDEA [Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility].
As a remote-first company, we are invested in employees creating a work setup that allows them to do their best work. In addition to a laptop, we also provide you with $750 to get the additional equipment you need and add an ongoing amount of $1,200 to your salary to cover remote work costs.
We value ownership at Kyruus Health, not only in the work you do but in the shared financial success from our growth. Employees will have the opportunity to grow their equity ownership throughout their tenure.
We care about creating the time you need to bond for any team members at Kyruus Health growing their families. We offer 8 weeks of fully paid leave to all parents. Birthing parents are also eligible for additional time and coverage through our Short-Term Disability plan.
We encourage all employees to save for retirement through our 401(K) plan. Employees have the option to begin contributing to their accounts on their first day of employment and we offer an employer match of up to $1,500 per calendar year for all employees who enroll.
We offer employees a lifestyle stipend of $2,000 per year to help them be well. This is designed for Kyruus Health to offset the cost for items, experiences, or home expenses that enhance team members’ well-being
We want to provide employees and families with health insurance offerings to support them getting the care they need. Our health, dental, and vision plans are desiged to allow employees the opportunity to choose options that work best for themselves and their families.
We are committed to flexibility and empowering employees to do work that matters in a way that works for them. Our unlimited PTO policy is anchored on that flexibility – encouraging employees to take time off for what’s important to them, in addition to the many company holidays we celebrate. To highlight our commitment to a healthy work-life balance, we provide a specific stipend each quarter for employees to use on a recharge day.
