Green Initiative Launched at US Open

In 2005, the US Open changed its court color to blue. This year, the US Open is changing its thinking to green.

The USTA is putting into place a series of "green" initiatives in an effort to reduce the environmental impact of the US Open and help educate tennis fans to the benefits of being more eco-friendly. More than 700,000 fans annually visit the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center during the two weeks of the US Open, so if everyone lends a hand, these initiatives can potentially make a real difference.

The USTA enlisted a top environmental consultant, Environmental Resources Management (ERM), to review all current operations of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center and recommend initiatives that will have the greatest impact on reducing the carbon footprint of the US Open, including improved waste and energy management programs.

Billie Jean King, who founded Green Slamin 2007 to inspire sports fans, players and the industry to create positive environmental change, then introduced the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), a national organization of environmental experts, to the USTA. So in addition to ERM, NRDC also is providing technical, operational and strategic support, as well as counsel and advice.

"Big-time sporting events provide a unique platform to educate fans on green initiatives, and we feel that the best way we can educate is to lead by example," said Arlen Kantarian, Chief Executive Officer, Pro Tennis, USTA. "We have a plan that will lessen the environmental impact of the event and heighten the environmental awareness of those who attend it."

Here are just some of the environmental initiatives being put in place at the 2008 US Open:
- Partnering with Evian© Natural Spring Water to launch a plastic and aluminum recycling program aimed at recycling more than 500,000 plastic bottles and 20,000 aluminum cans on-site.
- More than 80 Evian receptacles will be located in easily accessible and highly visible areas on the grounds to make recycling easy for fans.
- Constellation Energy, the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center's electricity supplier, will supply Green-e Certified wind Renewable Energy Certificates to match the electricity consumption during the 2008 US Open.
- Lexus, the "Official Vehicle of the US Open," will provide player transportation services during the event with hybrid vehicles comprising 20% of the overall fleet.
- Following the US Open, approximately 20,000 Wilson tennis ball cans used at the tournament will be recycled. The 60,000 used Wilson tennis balls will be reused for NTC programming and then donated to other community/youth programs.
- IBM, which powers USOpen.org, last year reduced the number of servers it utilized from 60 to nine, and this year is consolidating the number of servers to six, further reducing energy consumption and cooling demand.
- A portion of the proceeds from the US Open organic collection will be donated to Unisphere, Inc., the non-profit organization dedicated to maintaining and preserving Flushing Meadows Corona Park, home of the US Open.
- US Open merchandise stores will feature a new souvenir-style shopping bag designed for multiple uses with a "recycle and reuse" message printed on the bottom. In addition, a reusable tote bag will be available for .
- Public Service Announcements featuring Billie Jean King, Venus Williams and Bob and Mike Bryan will be played on video boards and USOpen.org.

This is a major undertaking, but with everyone's cooperation, it promises to pay major dividends.

Source:
USTA

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USTA