It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to recognize that major sporting events can produce substantial volumes of potential waste material, and anybody who has ever attended a major event such as the upcoming 2018 KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship at Harbor Shores can only imagine how many water bottles, beer cans, cardboard containers and beyond are generated.
Fortunately, the PGA of America not only recognizes that volume, but will play an active role in minimizing it to the best of their ability. That team is working with Schupan’s Recycling SustainAbility division to create a recycling program for the 79th KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship coming to Harbor Shores over the Memorial Day weekend.
The program will focus on the recycling of front-of-house materials, such as water bottles and beer cans, cardboard from vendors, and food waste diversion in the catering kitchens, in order to reduce the overall carbon footprint of the championship.
Championship Director Ryan Ogle says, “Our relationship with Schupan Recycling is a testament to the PGA of America’s efforts to reduce our impact on the environment.” He tells us, “All materials collected will be recycled and composted locally in Michigan, which is important to us and our efforts to positively impact the Southwest Michigan community.”
Jessica Loding is Director of Events & Strategic Partnerships at Schupan SustainAbility. She says, “We are looking forward to working with the PGA of America,” and adds, “This is a great opportunity to create a program that improves the environment and teaches others about important sustainability practices.”
Based in Kalamazoo, Schupan Recycling is one of the largest volume processors and brokers of used beverage containers in the United States. Their SustainAbility division specializes in creating solutions for events, venues and communities designed to minimize waste and environmental impact. They are dedicated and actively involved in supporting community sustainability endeavors, education and relief programs.
The PGA of America recognizes the critical need to tell the story of the industry’s sustainability successes and challenges. Developed with sustainability consultancy Environmental Resources Management, the PGA recently released its first-ever sustainability report titled The PGA and Its Members: Bringing Energy to the Game. That was spurred in part through a partnership with Constellation, the PGA’s official energy provider and sustainability partner. The study is designed to attract future partnerships and talent that further the PGA and its mission, while showcasing best practices and case studies. You can review the reports findings on the long-term positive impact that social responsibility offers to the future of golf by clicking the link below:
The PGA also recently joined the Green Sports Alliance, which leverages the cultural and market influence of sports to promote healthy, sustainable communities where people live and play. The Alliance brings together venue operators, sports team executives and environmental scientists to exchange information about better practices and develop solutions to their environmental challenges that are cost-competitive and innovative. The information gathered is to gain a better understanding of how sporting events can be performed in an environmentally sensitive manner.
For example, the PGA of America and Lexmark will launch a community tree-planting project on Monday, May 21st at 10am at Franks Park in Benton Harbor. The tree planting initiative began in 2012, to offset the impact associated with printing for the KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship. To date, more than 2,000 trees have been planted in communities that have hosted the Championship.
For more information about the 79th KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship, or to purchase tickets to the event, click this link: http://SrPGA.com or call 1-800-PGA-GOLF (800-742-4653).
