The US Open is celebrating the 20th anniversary of Arthur Ashe Stadium, but there鈥檚 another anniversary that it should be very proud of. Here鈥檚 a hint: It鈥檚 green.
The 2017聽US Open聽marks聽the 10th anniversary of the Green Initiative program. Its main goal is to reduce the tournament鈥檚 environmental footprint, expanding efforts each time August rolls around.
“When the naming rights of the tennis center went to Billie Jean King, she said ‘I want to do some greening,’聽Bina Indelicato of Eco Evolutions said. 鈥淭he USTA decided to hire an environmental consultant.鈥�
Since 2008, more than 3,400 tons of waste from the two weeks of tennis action has been diverted from ending up in landfills, saving 4,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions (that鈥檚 the same as 845 passenger cars driving for a year). On top of that, 550 tons of food waste has been reused for nutrient rich compost, and over 100 tons of food has been donated.
The US Open Green Initiative program is the reason you see more recycling bins on the grounds than ever, and the reason you’re using paper towels made of聽recycled materials. A lot of fans come to the US Open in vacation mode, and the signs everywhere serve as gentle reminders.
鈥淥ther stadiums and sporting events are consistent for a season, while here it’s two weeks鈥攅veryone comes in, everyone sets up and everybody leaves,鈥� Indelicato said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 like a whirlwind.聽It can be damaging.鈥�
The stadiums are on board too. The聽new Louis Armstrong Stadium, set to open in 2018, will be the first naturally ventilated stadium with a retractable roof in the world. Over 95 percent of the demolished original Armstrong Stadium was recycled, and everything from the lights to the air conditioning systems are carefully chosen to reduce waste.
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