Embodying the phrase “Where Sports Meet Sustainability,” Passback works to revitalize the lifecycle of sports equipment while providing underserved youth with the tools they need to participate fully in sports. By redistributing gently used gear, Passback reduces waste, keeps materials in use longer and helps communities thrive through inclusivity and sustainability, which are outcomes that also support cleaner air across the St. Louis region.
The nonprofit’s green efforts extend beyond redistribution. Through education, advocacy and partnerships with businesses, school and other nonprofits, Passback helps reduce the demand for new manufacturing and transportation of sports equipment, which in turn lowers greenhouse gas emissions and improves regional air quality.
Sustainability is not an add‑on for Passback — it is a core pillar of who they are. As a participant in the 2025 St. Louis Green Business Challenge at the Apprentice Level, the organization formed a Sustainability Committee to oversee initiatives, monitor progress and explore opportunities such as energy credit sales to help minimize environmental impact.
During the 2025 Challenge, Passback was recognized for creating a Warehouse Sustainability Strategy designed to reduce environmental impacts through optimized lighting, reuse systems, clear signage and intake and output tracking. The organization also implemented a 10% Waste Reduction Plan focused on tracking event waste and diverting plastic and metal bottles through recycling and take‑back programs that help keep pollutants out of landfills and the air.
Passback’s impact extends well beyond its Challenge participation. Since launching in August 2023, the organization has gifted more than $140,000 worth of sports gear to children in underserved communities, with 90% of that support staying local. In doing so, Passback has recirculated more than 10 tons of plastic and metal back into the economy, reducing waste and emissions associated with producing new equipment.
Passback also developed and adopted a Green Purchasing Policy that prioritizes reused, recycled and local materials that can biodegrade or be recycled. In addition, the organization established a Partner Sustainability Policy that encourages partners to demonstrate sustainable practices and continuous improvement, helping expand positive environmental impacts across the region.
Other innovative Challenge efforts included advancing evidence‑based circularity through research conducted with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Washington University in St. Louis and independent analysts. This work helped quantify the lifecycle impacts of sports gear while implementing greenhouse gas emissions and diversion tracking, turning data into meaningful outcomes for access, equity and community health.
“The Challenge helped the Passback team transform ideas into actionable strategies, connecting our work in circularity with the people and organizations capable of scaling it,” said Magdalen Sparrow, executive director for Passback. “The experience reinforced our belief that sustainability isn’t just about reducing waste, it’s about reimagining how businesses collaborate to build a regenerative, equitable future. Systems change is a team sport!”
For more information about Passback or to get involved in the St. Louis Green Business Challenge, subscribe to the bi-monthly e-newsletter or visit stlouisgreenchallenge.com. For more on how sustainability connects to air quality, visit the Clean Air Partnership’s website, like us on Facebook or follow us on X @gatewaycleanair.
