The NBA in partnership with the NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) has ushered in their first inaugural NBA Green Week. This event will last from April 2nd-April 10th in an effort to create awareness and funding for the environment. Teams will be outfitted with shooting shirts made of 100 percent organic cotton and take part in community events such as tree plantings and recycling drives. Autographed Spalding basketballs, made from 40 percent recycled materials, will be auctioned on nba.com, with proceeds benefiting the Natural Resources Defense Council.

Steve Nash has always been at the forefront of the “Go Green” initiative that has recently grabbed a lot of attention due to the fact it was a campaign topic in the 2008 presidential election. While with the Dallas Mavericks, Nash created a program called  “Recycle with Steve Nash Program”. During the program local elementary schools were taught a curriculum on how to reduce waste and protect the environment. In addition, the schools were issued a recycling challenge with the winning school receiving a visit from Steve Nash himself.  

Upon being traded to the Phoenix Suns, Steve Nash has continued his environment friendly ways. Steve has partnered with local power company APS to promote Solar energy solutions for customers such as Solar Water Heaters and installing Solar Panels on the roofs of homes. Steve Nash himself lives by the what he preaches. Nash plays every game in a custom shoe made by Nike called “Trash Talk”. The shoe itself is made from 100% manufacturing waste produced from Nike’s normal shoe production line. In addition, Nash drives a hybrid vehicle and has installed solar panels into his own home. In addition, Nash opened a state of the art all green fitness club in Vancouver, Canada last year. Below is an excerpt of the original press release:

The Steve Nash Sports Club will be the first fitness facility in Canada to aim for LEEDS Silver certification, the benchmark for high performance green buildings. Every aspect of the club’s design is focused on sustainability and environmental responsibility. This reflects both the culture of the Pacific Northwest and Steve’s belief that healthy living extends to the environment around us. Design materials such as a floating bamboo floor and area rugs made from recycled athletic shoelaces were chosen for their aesthetics as well as for their recycled content and air quality contribution. The interior finishing will be high style and inspired by Steve Nash, with specialized lighting, large graphic panels and at the top of the steel and glass staircase, a backdrop accent wall of bamboo designed to look like a basketball court.

In an era where news on professional athletes is constantly negative, (Dog Fighting Atrocities, Shootings, DUI’s etc…) Steve Nash is a breath of fresh air and if he has anything to say about it; everyone will be breathing fresh air in the future as well.