Local partners join forces on the Ohio Materials Marketplace, powered by Rheaply, to save over 75,000 lbs worth of office inventory from Progressive Field, resulting in sustainable social impact
LOCATION:
Cleveland, OH
PROJECT:
Progressive Field Reimagined
Reuse hit the big leagues when APB & Associates, the Owner’s Representative for the Cleveland Guardians’ Progressive Field Renovation Project, donated furniture through the Ohio Reuse Marketplace in December, 2023.
Their home since 1994, the Guardians revealed plans for extensive renovations before turning to APB & Associates, a consulting firm that specializes in professional services for construction management. In partnership with Good Banks NEO, which aims to help nonprofit organizations get what they need for free or at a nominal fee, and Rheaply, a reuse technology that powers the Ohio Materials Marketplace, the renovation is centered around enhancing the facilities while donating still valuable goods in the community – activating a local circularity.
1,400 pieces of office furniture were donated to 23 local area nonprofits resulting in over 75,000 lbs of perfectly functional furniture avoiding the landfill.
Beyond the sustainability win, several nonprofits benefited from the items, including the Footpath Foundationhttps://www.footpathfoundation.org/, which provides outdoor experiences to children they wouldn’t otherwise have; We Think 4 A Change, which empowers individuals and urban communities impacted by HIV/AIDS; and The Musketeer Association, which focuses on support for healing and trauma victims.
“As a small nonprofit, funding is not always consistent or plentiful and tends to focus on providing direct services. Many clients have commented on the new Group Room look. Several have reported that seeing this new furniture helps them to feel that they matter – and they are not cast-offs like the furniture they previously used.”
Larry Heller
Outreach Coordinator at Northern Ohio Recovery Association (NORA)
Progressive Field Reimagined: Ecosystem Partners
Unique private-public partnerships and connectivity on the Ohio Materials Marketplace played a vital role in making sure all of the Guardians’ remaining office and equipment inventory from Progressive Field found their next, best use:
APB & Associates
APB & Associates facilitated donations both on Rheaply and during two on-site donation days at Progressive Field. Established in 2004, this minority, veteran-owned consulting firm supports construction project management for industry clients with independent third-party project scheduling, cost management, BIM/VDC design, and project site engineering.
Rheaply
Rheaply, which recently acquired the U.S. Business Council for Sustainable Development’s Ohio Materials Marketplace, exists to increase more reuse opportunities and connection between business partners, catalyzing the circular economy within the state of Ohio through technology.
The platform, which is sponsored by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, enables professionals to gain visibility into and circulate the valuable resources at their organization, reducing unnecessary waste, carbon emissions, and unnecessary spending.
Good Banks NEO
Goods Banks NEO helps bridge the gap between those able to give and nonprofits in need of support, building resilience in the community. Northeast Ohio organizations such as nonprofits, schools and faith-based organizations can reclaim materials on the Ohio Materials Marketplace and through commercial donation programs.
Green Sports Alliance
The Green Sports Alliance leverages the cultural and market influence of sports to promote healthy, sustainable communities where people work, live, and play. The Green Sports Alliance is a resource and convener to professional sports leagues, sports governing bodies, colleges, teams, venues, and their partners, helping act as a key promotional partner to amplify the success of the project.
Explore the Progressive Field Reimagined Project
For more information on the Guardians’ ballpark renovation and enhancements, visit:
by Derek Doeing 
