Go Kings?!

Now’s the time to ask—we’re not distracted by win-loss, free-throw or field-goal percentages. And, frankly, Auntie Ruth is not all that concerned about what percentage of the spoils goes to the players or the owners. They’re all the 1 percent, eh?

Sacramento’s other major league team, the San Francisco Giants—d’oh, of course they’re our team, d’hell ya thinking?—have won the Green Glove Award (given to the MLB team that has recycled the most over the course of the season) not once, but three times. According to Mother Jones, the Giants have diverted 75 percent of their garbage from landfills via recycling and composting; installed 590 solar panels at AT&T Park; have seen their ballpark earn LEED silver certification; and have “even created more sustainable ways to produce their famous garlic fries.”

Chris Clark handles public relations for the Kings; he endured Auntie Ruth’s questions rather sportingly; she didn’t really expect a straight answer to “Do the Kings compost?” But she did learn that the Kings recycle all white office paper, all cardboard used at Power Balance Pavilion, all e-waste, all metal waste, paint, all light bulbs and the lighting used to illuminate the court.

“We proudly use mulching lawnmowers, creating no yard waste at PBP,” notes Clark. “[And] our players are always encouraged to eat healthy and many have a habit of choosing natural beef and chicken.” Not exactly an advertisement for Rocky the Range Chicken, but it’s not bad.

The Kings print their programs locally, which is good—that’s a lot of weight to be trucking in from anywhere further away—and they do take a bus when they play at the Warriors. They don’t recycle the programs, as too many “are often damaged by liquids or other contaminants throughout the course a basketball game.” Other contaminants? Tears of joy in years past, maybe. Now, just tears.

Anywho, it’s not a stellar environmental record, and it’s not an embarrassment. Along with big salaries, labor machinations, scandal, betrayal and other headlines, it’s about in the middle of what you’d expect from a big business, albeit one played out in jerseys and tennis shoes. Go Kings, says Auntie Ruth, a little wearily. Go Kings.