Setting new standards in golf tournament recycling

Setting new standards in golf tournament recycling

It’s time to take a closer look at how golf tournaments are stepping up to conserve resources - one of the key pillars of sustainable golf. 

The days of having thousands of spectators on-site and sending all their waste straight to landfill are long gone. Golf tournaments, like many other events and society in general, have a responsibility to minimize their environmental impact. In doing so, they can set a great example, not only to fans but other tournaments, sports and sponsors. 

Zero waste commitment from WM 

The PGA Tour’s WM Phoenix Open is the world's largest zero waste event. The event is aiming to become the first six-time GEO Certified tournament (more news on that soon). 

Since 2013, WM has diverted 100 per cent of tournament waste through recycling, composting, donation, reuse or creating energy.  WM’s zero waste operational achievements begins with Recycling Right - meaning recycle all bottles, cans, paper and cardboard, while keeping food, liquid and plastic bags - including bagged recyclables out of recycling bins.  

Since 2013, more than 2,800 tons of tournament materials have been recycled by WM. Every time they recycle an aluminum can, a cardboard box, a plastic water bottle or paper products, those items get a second life to serve a new purpose and save natural resources.

Some highlights from the 2022 event include: 

• 100 per cent diversion through recycling, composting, donation, reuse, and waste-to-energy
• The tournament also offsets the tournament’s carbon footprint, except for fan travel. This includes all tournament operations, building materials, event management transportation, professional and amateur player travel, as well as vendor and volunteer travel
• WM provided the top 25 PGA TOUR finishers with gifts that highlight the value of the circular economy
• The tournament is played at the TPC Scottsdale, which became a GEO Certified course in 2019 due to its outstanding management of on-course wildlife habitats
• More than 10.41 million pounds of tournament materials have gone on to their next best use over the last decade through recycling, composting, reuse, donation, or energy creation.

Learn more about the sustainability initiatives at the WM Phoenix Open.

Driving more recycling initiatives at the Dow GLBI

In 2019, the Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational became the first GEO Certified tournament in LPGA history, and it’s aiming to achieve golf’s sustainability distinction again at this year’s event in July. 

Dow Ambassador, Suzann Pettersen, is also a Sustainable Golf Champion and is playing a leading role in raising awareness of recycling at professional golf tournaments as well as other important sustainability topics across nature, climate and community. 

The environmental commitment of the 2019 Dow GLBI is demonstrated in the examples below:

• 68 per cent of waste generated was recycled or reused
• Used plastic mesh is recycled into golf tees
• 1,000 pounds of unused food was donated to the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan
• Dozens of volunteers educated spectators on proper recycling 
• 80 per cent of signage is to be reused in the future

Regardless of the size of the tournament you’re hosting, there are sustainable practices you can undertake and measure to make sure your event is reducing its impact on the local community and the wider planet.

Browse more Sustainable Golf Highlights from tournaments around the world and learn about other examples and the programmes available.