Home » TIMag.com news » Awards » US Open awarded LEED certification

US Open awarded LEED certification

FLUSHING MEADOWS, NY — The United States Tennis Association (USTA) today announced its first LEED® (level of certification) Green Building Certification for its Transportation Building, part of its commitment to create a sustainable future through continuously seeking innovative ways to reduce the impact the US Open has on the environment. The LEED rating system, developed by the U.S. Green Building Council, recognizes best-in-class building strategies and practices for high-performance green buildings. The USTA aims to further this initiative for the new Grandstand and Louis Armstrong Stadium; slated to open in 2016 and 2018 respectively.

Since the inception of the program in 2008, the US Open has recycled more than 2.6 million plastic bottles, welcomed more than 3 million fans arriving via mass transit, and diverted more than 1,800 tons of US Open waste from going into landfills. Last year, the US Open diverted more than 70 percent of its waste from landfills through recycling and composting, more than any other year in the event’s history. This year, more than 650 tons of waste will be diverted from landfills, ultimately saving more than 425 tons of harmful greenhouse gas emissions from being emitted into the atmosphere.

The US Open is proud to be at the forefront for green initiatives at sporting events and equally proud to be lessening the event’s ecological footprint. The following is an overview of this year’s US Open Green Initiative program.

2015 US Open Green Initiative Highlights

• The US Open will offset the carbon emissions generated by the more than 9,000 employees who come on site to work the event. It will continue to offset the carbon emissions generated from main draw player travel to the event as well as from the fuel consumed to run the 2015 US Open.
• The US Open will be diverting all of its 650-plus tons of waste from going into a landfill; helping to save more than 425 tons of greenhouse gases from being emitted into the atmosphere.
• The US Open continues its membership with the Green Sports Alliance - a network of sports teams, venues, and leagues focused on lessening their collective environmental impact.
• The US Open’s energy provider will supply Green-e certified wind renewable energy certificates to match the electricity consumed during the 2015 US Open.
• The US Open continues to collaborate with the sustainability managers of the other three Grand Slam tournaments. All four events continue to work toward their goals of becoming models for social responsibility.

Recycling & Composting

• Throughout the site, all trash receptacles have been converted to compostable waste receptacles to collect the service ware comprised of bio-based materials.
• The USTA collects the tennis balls used during the matches and player’s practices to reuse in USTA tennis programs and to donate to various community and youth organizations throughout the United States.
• From the kitchens at the US Open, more than 12,000 gallons of food grease will be converted into biodiesel fuel.
• More than 80 tons of food waste from the US Open kitchens will be collected to be turned into compost for landscape and farming uses.

Transportation

• The USTA will continue to welcome 60 percent of its fans via mass transit.
• The US Open will offset the estimated 2.15 million miles players travel by air as well as the 134,000 miles they travel on the ground to get to the 2015 US Open, and also willoffset the 560 MT CO2e that is generated from employees traveling to work the 2015 US Open.

Paper Procurement

• The 2.4 million napkins in the general concession area are comprised of 100 percent recycled material.
• The US Open Daily is printed on paper certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and printed on machines with dual-printing capabilities.
• US Open Subscriber collateral is comprised of 65 percent PCW materials.
• US Open tickets are printed on paper comprised of 30 percent post-consumer waste.

Food & Service Ware

• The majority of the service ware throughout the site is compostable comprised of bio-based materials.
• US Open food concessionaire, Levy Restaurants, is locally sourcing 40 percent of its produce and ingredients for the food offered on site.
• The US Open expects to donate 15 tons of food to the local community.

On-Site

• All of the courts are painted with DecoColor by DecoTurf, the only sports surfacing product that is certified by Green Wise and meets strict VOC requirements.
• LED court lights have been installed in Arthur Ashe Stadium as well as on Courts 4, 5, and 6 and will save a total of 150,000 kWh; 50 percent more efficient than regular stadium lighting.
• Vendors are provided with a US Open Green Cleaning Policy specifying preferred cleaning products to be used during the US Open.

Fan Awareness

• 2015 US Open Green Initiatives are featured in the official 2015 US Open Program.
• Green Sports Alliance environmental tips will be featured in the US Open Daily as well as communicated through US Open social media channels.

US Open Merchandise

• At the US Open Collection merchandise locations, fans will receive with their purchase a US Open souvenir-style shopping bag designed for multiple-use with a “Recycle and Reuse” message printed on the bottom.
• The US Open Collection will feature for sale a reusable tote made from 80 percent post-consumer waste.

Outreach

• In 2012, the USTA joined the Green Sports Alliance, an organization of sports teams, venues and leagues aimed to enhance environmental evolution of professional and collegiate sports. The US Open was a part of the fourth annual Green Sports Alliances Summit held in Chicago, Ill., in July. This event brings together more than 700 industry stakeholders to learn from leaders at the forefront of the sports greening movement.
• The USTA is a member of the U.S. Green Building Council, a diverse group of organizations and individuals all sharing the same vision of building a sustainable future. Green building elements are being incorporated into the Strategic Transformation at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.

Posted on September 4, 2015
Permalink