World’s First LEED-EB Certified NBA and NHL Arena and Its Teams are Scoring for Sustainability

Philips Arena became the first NBA or NHL arena to achieve LEED certification for an existing facility in April 2009, and two years later the Atlanta Hawks, Atlanta Thrashers and Philips Arena remain committed to sustainability in arena and office operations, corporate partnerships and fan education. In conjunction with the NBA’s Green Week and the celebration of April as Earth Month, the Hawks versus Spurs game on April 5 and the Thrashers versus Hurricanes game on April 8 will be used as platforms to raise awareness about environmentalism.“The Hawks, Thrashers and Philips Arena recognize their roles as leaders in the NBA’s, the NHL’s and Atlanta’s sustainability movements,” said Bob Williams, President, Atlanta Hawks and Philips Arena and Executive Vice President, Atlanta Spirit LLC. “By highlighting our ongoing green initiatives, showcasing our corporate partners’ environmental efforts and educating fans on what they can do to reduce, reuse, and recycle, it’s our hope that the city of Atlanta will follow our lead.”

Following are programs that highlight the ways that the Hawks, Thrashers and Philips Arena are scoring for sustainability during and around these games.

· Electronics Recycling Drive presented by Georgia’s Own Credit Union: In conjunction with Georgia’s Own, Philips Arena will host two electronics recycling drives in front of the arena on April 5 from 3:00pm-7:00pm prior to the Hawks-Spurs game and on April 8 from 3:00pm-7:30pm prior to the Thrashers-Hurricanes game. Fans who turn in acceptable electronics will receive a 20% discount at the arena’s Team Gear store.

· Green Teams presented by Waste Management: In partnership with Waste Management, a team of ushers will collect plastic bottles and cups from fans for recycling during a designated timeout during both the April 5 and April 8 games.

· Threes for Trees and Green Goals presented by The Home Depot: For each goal the Thrashers score and each three pointer the Hawks score during the 2010-11 season, a donation is being made to Trees Atlanta to plant and maintain trees in the areas of highest need in Atlanta. Through this program, presented by The Home Depot, a $10,000 donation will be made this season for trees, commemorated with check presentations at the April 5 and April 8 games. On April 6, representatives from the Hawks, Thrashers, Philips Arena and The Home Depot will participate in a tree mulching project in Vine City.

· Team Outfitting: Hawks and Thrashers players will show their support for sustainability by wearing NBA Green Week shooting shirts on April 5 and “Follow Our LEED” helmet decals on April 8.

In addition to Georgia’s Own Credit Union, Waste Management and The Home Depot, the Hawks, Thrashers and Philips Arena count Philips, Coca-Cola, SouthEast Link, Georgia Power and Arrow Exterminators among their green partners.