Going Green Beyond the Tennis Court
As the world celebrates Earth Day, it’s a moment to reflect on the tennis world’s efforts to “go green.” There are three major constituencies in professional tennis, i.e. players, tournaments and manufacturers. As a high-profile international sport, professional tennis
has an opportunity to set an example for tennis fans around the planet.
Tennis tournaments, led by the Grand Slams such as the U.S. Open, have promoted several initiatives aimed at recycling and protecting the environment. Tennis manufacturers have also started to consider the environment more both in terms of the materials they use to produce tennis balls, rackets, t-shirts, etc., as well as in their actual manufacturing practices and recycling programs. The one constituency which is the most high profile seems to be the least active in this area, i.e. the players. Given the fact that tennis pros “commute” by airplane constantly their “travel” is having a negative impact on the environment. Some players may be purchasing carbon credits to offset the environmental impact of their travel, but there are opportunities for players to do more. For example, players could be using reusable water bottles for their water (filled from larger on-court water dispensers) and homemade electrolyte “mixtures” rather than drinking from multiple plastic bottles and cups. It would be a small, but very visible change, in front of tennis fans in the stadiums and on TV around the world. As they say, “one small step…”
Tennis tournaments, led by the Grand Slams such as the U.S. Open, have promoted several initiatives aimed at recycling and protecting the environment. Tennis manufacturers have also started to consider the environment more both in terms of the materials they use to produce tennis balls, rackets, t-shirts, etc., as well as in their actual manufacturing practices and recycling programs. The one constituency which is the most high profile seems to be the least active in this area, i.e. the players. Given the fact that tennis pros “commute” by airplane constantly their “travel” is having a negative impact on the environment. Some players may be purchasing carbon credits to offset the environmental impact of their travel, but there are opportunities for players to do more. For example, players could be using reusable water bottles for their water (filled from larger on-court water dispensers) and homemade electrolyte “mixtures” rather than drinking from multiple plastic bottles and cups. It would be a small, but very visible change, in front of tennis fans in the stadiums and on TV around the world. As they say, “one small step…”
|| Comments (1)
Comments
reBounces - www.rebounces.com - is the official sponsor of green tennis... we green the sport on the court through our Green Tennis Machine - which recharges tennis balls and extends the life of the balls 2 or 3 times.
Go to www.rebounces.com for further information and to learn how you can recycle your tennis balls.
Posted by: Cannon | April 25, 2010 07:20 PM