Even people who make Air need to fill their lungs once in a while. That’s one of the key incentives for a new Nike Grind basketball court at the Nike Air Manufacturing Innovation plant in Portland, Oregon.
Nike’s Air Manufacturing Innovation (AirMI) facility manufactures the airbags used in Nike’s sportswear shoes. These airbags are a critical component in Nike’s shoes, one that has become more innovative and more sustainable over time. In fact, over 90% of the waste material used to create Air soles (e.g., scraps, trimmings, etc.) are now reused to make more of the all-new cushioning system.
It only makes sense that the new court would be installed by Replay Surfacing, Playtop’s US licensee. Playtop recycles Nike Grind rubber to make all-new play and sport surfaces. In fact, every square meter of Playtop with Nike Grind uses the rubber equivalent of 28 recycled shoes.
“As a former college basketball player, it was special to create a more eco-friendly court for our employees,” says Zachary Hamilton, Facilities Project Manager II for AirMI. “Employees are able to utilize the court for meetings, as well as outdoor team-building events—all on a court that is friendly on joints and knees.”
The new Nike Grind court is a hit with employees who love the design, the soft surface, and the fact that they can step out from their mission of making Air—to a place where they can fill their own lungs with air, as they laugh and play ball with colleagues.
