2009 U.S. Open Tennis Green Initiatives
"Our courts may be blue, but we're thinking green" The U.S. Open tennis tournament aims to be environmentally friendly, as well as fan-friendly! After a successful effort to “go green” last year, the USTA partnered again this year with the NRDC, as well as with
Environmental Resources Management to develop the 2009 U.S. Open green plan. The multi-faceted plan includes:
Recycling
• Consumer waste recycling program (plastic and cans) throughout the entire USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center (adding 500 recycling receptacles across the grounds so that there are recycling receptacles on 100% of grounds).
• Recycle approximately 18,000 to 20,000 Wilson tennis ball cans.
• 60,000 Wilson tennis balls used during the US Open will be reused for National Tennis Center programming and then donated to community/youth programs.
Energy Management
• Constellation Energy, the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center's energy provider, will supply Green-e Certified wind Renewable Energy Certificates to match the electricity consumption during the 2009 US Open.
Transportation
• Each day during the two-week event, 125 fans will win a $4.50 MetroCard to encourage the use of mass transit to and from the US Open.
• Continue to increase the percentage of fans who attend the US Open via mass transit through US Open–specific public transit advertisements.
• Hybrid vehicles comprise 52% of Lexus's player transportation fleet compared to 20% in 2008.
Paper Procurement
• The 2.4 million napkins in the general concession area contain 90% post-consumer waste (PCW).
• The marketing collateral and the Daily Drawsheets are printed on paper containing 30% PCW and printed by companies certified by the Forest Stewardship Council.
• US Open tickets are printed on paper containing 30% PCW. Parking books, parking visors, and coupon books contain 10-15% PCW.
• Canon is providing copy paper containing 30% PCW.
• All paper towels are dispensed via motion-sensor dispensers and all paper towels contain 40% PCW.
• Grey Goose is dispensing napkins containing 100% recycled content.
The total saved by using recycled paper, i.e. avoided the use/production of :
• 28 tons of wood
• 60 million BTUs of energy
• 18,102 pounds (9 tons) CO2 equivalent of greenhouse gases
• 87,423 gallons of wastewater
• 5,308 pounds (2.7 tons) of solid waste
Fan Awareness/Fan Messaging
• Player PSAs about recycling and environmentally friendly shopping and transportation choices featuring Billie Jean King, Venus Williams, and Bob and Mike Bryan are airing on the jumbotron/videoboards.
• PSA about USTA sustainability initiative is also airing, with Alec Baldwin voiceover.
• Mass transit messaging featured in US Open collateral and throughout the grounds.
• Green feature in the official US Open program.
• 50,000 wallet cards with 2009 eco-tips will be given to fans.
• Eco-tips are featured in the Daily Drawsheet, US Open website and video board messaging.
Player Education
• "Did You Know" greening tips are included in the Player Handbook.
• "Did You Know" and eco-tips are posted in the player registration office, locker rooms, player dining, and players' lounge.
• Recycling bins are in all player areas.
US Open Merchandise
• The US Open souvenir-style shopping bags have been designed for multiple uses with a "recycle and reuse" message printed on the bottom.
• A reusable US Open tote bag is available at merchandise stands for $5.
• US Open organic collection features t-shirts made from 100% organic cotton with "green" tennis messaging including one designed by Venus Williams.
• US Open organic collection also features hats made from 50% post-consumer waste obtained from plastic soda bottles—each hat contains the equivalent of two plastic one-liter bottles.
Food Services
• Utensils, plates, cups, etc. are comprised of bio-based materials.
• Pilot Composting program in two kitchens.
• Cooking oil will be recovered for use as biodiesel fuel.
• Expanded organic produce and meats from local farms.
With Billie Jean King and actor, Alec Baldwin, as the spokespeople, the U.S. Open tennis tournament, the highest-attended sporting event in the United States with over 700,000 fans annually visiting the U.S. Open, is setting a green example for others to follow. One hopes that the green initiatives of such a high profile global sporting event will inspire tennis fans, corporations and other major entertainment events to follow the USTA’s lead. We all breathe the share air and share the same space in this world so let’s work together to save our planet.
Recycling
• Consumer waste recycling program (plastic and cans) throughout the entire USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center (adding 500 recycling receptacles across the grounds so that there are recycling receptacles on 100% of grounds).
• Recycle approximately 18,000 to 20,000 Wilson tennis ball cans.
• 60,000 Wilson tennis balls used during the US Open will be reused for National Tennis Center programming and then donated to community/youth programs.
Energy Management
• Constellation Energy, the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center's energy provider, will supply Green-e Certified wind Renewable Energy Certificates to match the electricity consumption during the 2009 US Open.
Transportation
• Each day during the two-week event, 125 fans will win a $4.50 MetroCard to encourage the use of mass transit to and from the US Open.
• Continue to increase the percentage of fans who attend the US Open via mass transit through US Open–specific public transit advertisements.
• Hybrid vehicles comprise 52% of Lexus's player transportation fleet compared to 20% in 2008.
Paper Procurement
• The 2.4 million napkins in the general concession area contain 90% post-consumer waste (PCW).
• The marketing collateral and the Daily Drawsheets are printed on paper containing 30% PCW and printed by companies certified by the Forest Stewardship Council.
• US Open tickets are printed on paper containing 30% PCW. Parking books, parking visors, and coupon books contain 10-15% PCW.
• Canon is providing copy paper containing 30% PCW.
• All paper towels are dispensed via motion-sensor dispensers and all paper towels contain 40% PCW.
• Grey Goose is dispensing napkins containing 100% recycled content.
The total saved by using recycled paper, i.e. avoided the use/production of :
• 28 tons of wood
• 60 million BTUs of energy
• 18,102 pounds (9 tons) CO2 equivalent of greenhouse gases
• 87,423 gallons of wastewater
• 5,308 pounds (2.7 tons) of solid waste
Fan Awareness/Fan Messaging
• Player PSAs about recycling and environmentally friendly shopping and transportation choices featuring Billie Jean King, Venus Williams, and Bob and Mike Bryan are airing on the jumbotron/videoboards.
• PSA about USTA sustainability initiative is also airing, with Alec Baldwin voiceover.
• Mass transit messaging featured in US Open collateral and throughout the grounds.
• Green feature in the official US Open program.
• 50,000 wallet cards with 2009 eco-tips will be given to fans.
• Eco-tips are featured in the Daily Drawsheet, US Open website and video board messaging.
Player Education
• "Did You Know" greening tips are included in the Player Handbook.
• "Did You Know" and eco-tips are posted in the player registration office, locker rooms, player dining, and players' lounge.
• Recycling bins are in all player areas.
US Open Merchandise
• The US Open souvenir-style shopping bags have been designed for multiple uses with a "recycle and reuse" message printed on the bottom.
• A reusable US Open tote bag is available at merchandise stands for $5.
• US Open organic collection features t-shirts made from 100% organic cotton with "green" tennis messaging including one designed by Venus Williams.
• US Open organic collection also features hats made from 50% post-consumer waste obtained from plastic soda bottles—each hat contains the equivalent of two plastic one-liter bottles.
Food Services
• Utensils, plates, cups, etc. are comprised of bio-based materials.
• Pilot Composting program in two kitchens.
• Cooking oil will be recovered for use as biodiesel fuel.
• Expanded organic produce and meats from local farms.
With Billie Jean King and actor, Alec Baldwin, as the spokespeople, the U.S. Open tennis tournament, the highest-attended sporting event in the United States with over 700,000 fans annually visiting the U.S. Open, is setting a green example for others to follow. One hopes that the green initiatives of such a high profile global sporting event will inspire tennis fans, corporations and other major entertainment events to follow the USTA’s lead. We all breathe the share air and share the same space in this world so let’s work together to save our planet.
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