Detroit Lions Team Up With REPREVE® For First-of-its-kind NFL Team Sustainbility Initiative

DETROIT, Aug. 4, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The Detroit Lions announce Unifi, Inc.'s (NYSE:UFI) REPREVE® recycled fiber brand as the team's new official sustainability partner. This collaboration makes the Lions the first NFL team to join REPREVE's #TurnItGreen movement. REPREVE is made from recycled materials, including plastic bottles, and helps make products eco-friendly. The #TurnItGreen initiative supports stadium-based recycling efforts and a consumer education campaign to "Make the Smart Throw," encouraging fans to toss their bottles into recycling bins instead of trash cans.

 Unifi, the makers of REPREVE, is headquartered in Greensboro, N.C. The Company transforms plastic bottles into REPREVE recycled fibers that are used by many well-known brands, including Ford, Haggar, Polartec, Quiksilver and Volcom. On Wednesday, Aug. 6, the Lions and REPREVE will kick off #TurnItGreen efforts with a training camp takeover at Ford Field. During practice, the Lions quarterbacks will forgo the traditional red jerseys for REPREVE green jerseys, each made from 21 recycled plastic bottles. Attending fans will receive REPREVE-based #TurnItGreen fan towels made from three recycled bottles along with other REPREVE-based items, including t-shirts and autograph cards (quantities are limited).

"This initiative is a reflection of the Ford family's commitment to leading in the area of sustainability," said Detroit Lions Team President Tom Lewand. "As an example, through our partnership with REPREVE, we will be expanding to 500 recycling bins throughout Ford Field, making it easy for fans and guests to 'Make the Smart Throw.' This collaboration with Unifi and REPREVE will also serve as a platform to educate fans about the quality products that can be made from recycled materials, which will help keep plastic bottles from ending up in landfills."

REPREVE and the Lions are calling on fans to help the team reach its target 100 percent recycling rate throughout the 2014 season. Achieving this feat will lead to direct benefits for students at the Detroit Lions Academy, who will be awarded with new REPREVE clothing.

"Recycling is critical, yet surprisingly only 30 percent of plastic bottles are recycled in the U.S., significantly less than other countries," explained Roger Berrier, President and Chief Operating Officer of Unifi, Inc. "Together with the Detroit Lions, we are working to highlight the ease of in-stadium recycling and showcase the benefits of recycling. Hopefully franchises from all major sports will follow the Lions' lead and join the #TurnItGreen movement."

In addition to the REPREVE #TurnItGreen training camp takeover on Aug. 6, the collaboration will include in-stadium activation elements encouraging fans to "Make the Smart Throw." Throughout the season, there will be a series of #TurnItGreen promotions starting with "Play Catch with the Quarterback," where fans will have the opportunity to toss the football with Lions quarterbacks prior to the Aug. 6 practice.

For more information on REPREVE, please visit www.REPREVE.com, or visit the REPREVE Facebook page www.facebook.com/REPREVE. To learn more about the Lions partnership with REPREVE, please visit www.detroitlions.com/turnitgreen.html.

About REPREVE:

REPREVE® is Unifi, Inc.'s (NYSE: UFI) flagship brand of recycled fibers, made from recycled materials, including plastic bottles. REPREVE can be found in products ranging from apparel and hosiery to automotive and industrial applications, and is used by some of the world's leading brands, including Patagonia, Haggar, Quiksilver and Ford. REPREVE's #TurnItGreen initiative is designed to encourage recycling and raise awareness among consumers that recycled bottles can be turned into cool products they use every day. For more information about REPREVE, visit www.REPREVE.com; like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

REPREVE and #TurnItGreen are trademarks of Unifi, Inc.

About Unifi:  

Unifi, Inc. is a multi-national manufacturing company that produces and sells textured and other processed yarns designed to meet customer specifications, and premier value-added ("PVA") yarns with enhanced performance characteristics. Unifi maintains one of the textile industry's most comprehensive polyester and nylon product offerings. Unifi enhances demand for its products, and helps others in creating a more effective textile industry supply chain, through the development and introduction of branded yarns that provide unique performance, comfort and aesthetic advantages. In addition to its flagship REPREVE® products – a family of eco-friendly yarns made from recycled materials – key Unifi brands include: SORBTEK®, REFLEXX®, AIO® – all-in-one performance yarns, SATURA®, AUGUSTA®, A.M.Y.®, MYNX® UV and MICROVISTA®. Unifi's yarns are readily found in the products of major brands in the apparel, hosiery, automotive, home furnishings, industrial and other end-use markets. For more information about Unifi, visit www.unifi.com; to learn more about REPREVE®, visit www.REPREVE.com.

About The Detroit Lions:

The Detroit Lions is a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference (NFC) in the National Football League (NFL), and play their home games at Ford Field in downtown Detroit. The team relocated to Detroit in 1934 and are the National Football League's fifth oldest franchise. The Detroit Lions finished the 2011 regular season with a 10-6 record and earned a berth in the NFL playoffs. In addition to professional football, the Detroit Lions have a very visible and active community relations role in the Detroit area. With a focus on health and wellness and community revitalization, the Lions have contributed $7.2 million through philanthropic efforts since 1991. For more information, visit www.DetroitLions.com.

The Detroit Lions Academy offers students an opportunity to learn and achieve in a structured caring and safe, learning environment that can address their individual learning needs. Students, in grades 6-8, attend the school due to previous challenges in traditional educational settings and receive additional social-emotional support due to challenges that have impeded their progress.

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SOURCE Unifi, Inc.