One Albuquerque Night at Isotopes Park Focuses on Sustainability

Last night, the Solid Waste Management Department (SWMD) hosted a sustainability night in partnership with the Albuquerque Isotopes. To commemorate one of the Isotopes final games of the season, SWMD and staff from the Mayor’s office distributed an Orbit themed reusable bag to the first 2,000 fans. The purpose of the evening was to encourage Albuquerque residents to use reusable bags when they shop at their local grocery store. Isotopes fans were also able to learn about recycling best practices and how SWMD works to keep Albuquerque beautiful.

“Our commitment to sustainability is about living up to our responsibility to future generations of Albuquerque residents—especially our kids,” said Matthew Whelan, Director of Solid Waste. “Together we can help reduce litter and preserve our natural resources by making a simple decision to use reusable bags when we shop instead of single-use plastic ones.”

Recycle bottle bins and carts lined the concourse to provide Isotopes fans with an opportunity to recycle their cans, plastic bottles, and cups during and after the game. An SWMD booth featured interactive ways to engage and inspire fans help keep Albuquerque cleaner and more beautiful.

SWMD also featured some of their newly designed recycle trucks at the game. Five new SWMD trucks promote different city attractions, including fun activities like the Balloon Fiesta, exploring Open Space, chilling out at the new Penguin exhibit at the BioPark, and of course visiting Orbit at an Isotopes game. In addition, the newly wrapped trucks also feature five stunning murals designed by Kei and Molly Textiles. The designs come from the “Making Our Way” mural that celebrates the immigrant journey to America. The original mural is located at Kei and Molly’s retail store in Nob Hill and is a City of Albuquerque public art funded project. At the game, people of all ages were able to view and take pictures with the trucks, sit inside the driver’s seat, and even take a turn honking the horn.

“We’re an eco-conscious studio and love the fact that our designs will be on recycle trucks,” stated Kei Tsuzuki, Co-founder of Kei and Molly Textiles LLC. “We think these moveable murals are a great way to brighten our streets.”

For more information on how to help us reduce, reuse, and recycle visit cabq.gov/solidwaste.