When Accelerate Climate Solutions, a nonprofit Naperville-based environmental organization, approached the Naperville Park District about a plan to help recycle sporting goods, district officials jumped at the chance to partner on the event.
The first-ever Great Gear Swap will be held daily Monday through Friday, March 16-20, at the Fort Hill Activity Center, 20 Fort Hill Drive.
It serves several purposes, organizers said.
Families can clean out their garages and donate gently-used items for softball, baseball, lacrosse, football, basketball, tennis, soccer and other sports. If they need other equipment, the voucher they’re given for their donation can be used to obtain it.
But donations are not required in order to shop the sale and pick up reasonably priced sporting goods.
Cathy Clarkin, executive director of Accelerate Climate Solutions, said the program is modeled after a partnership between Go Green Glen Ellyn and the Glen Ellyn Park District.
Recycling sports equipment not only keeps it out of landfills, but reduces the need for new equipment to be manufactured, Clarkin said. Equipment production creates a carbon footprint from the materials needed to create the items, the manufacturing process and transporting the goods to stores, she said.
District officials are hoping equipment will be donated for use in popular Naperville Park District programs, said Erika Rubo, the district’s community engagement and event manager. Children quickly outgrow cleats, shinguards, mitts and other equipment or lose interest in one sport and want to try something new, she said.
In addition to sports equipment, reversible jerseys used in basketball and soccer are being sought.
The Great Gear Swap will help make participating in sports affordable for families while helping the environment, Rubo said.
One important rule for the event to be successful is that the donations are clean and acceptable for reuse.
Any donated items that aren’t sold at the swap will be donated to ensure they stay out of landfills, Clarkin said.
The organization is working with the Illinois Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance as well as Soccer Gear for Zambia so children locally and overseas benefit from the donations.
Any profit made from the sale will be split between Accelerate Climate Solutions to help fund youth environmental programs and the Naperville Park District for its fee assistance program.
One of Accelerate Climate Solutions’ goals is to help develop the next generation of environmental leaders.
Both Clarkin and Rubo said they are excited to see the response for the pilot program.
“If it’s a success, we would want to replicate it,” Clarkin said. “We are very curious to see how it goes.”
To participate, donate gently-used sports equipment from 8 to 11 a.m. Monday through Thursday and from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday through Wednesday at the Fort Hill Activity Center lobby.
Donors will receive a voucher to exchange for sports equipment that they can use at the sale, which will be held from 8 to 11 a.m. and 4 to 6 p.m. Friday, March 20, in the activity center’s multipurpose rooms. Donations are not required to shop the sale.
A list of acceptable items is available at www.napervilleparks.org/greatgearswap.
Michelle Mullins is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.
