You've probably noticed that green is everywhere these days--in the news, politics, fashion, and technology - and now it can be in your tennis tournament.
Developing an "environmental impact statement" for your tournament and branding it as a "Green Event" is not only good for the environment but may prove valuable to your marketing campaign.
It may spark an interest in players who are looking for something different and are interested in how they can help the environment in all parts of their lives.
Try some of the ideas below to "Go Green" at your next tournament: 1.
Ban plastic water bottles.
We've all seen garbage bins overflowing with empty plastic water bottles.
Instead of selling or giving away bottled water, provide plenty of large water dispensers on the grounds with biodegradable paper cups.
(Don't forget to have markers available so people can mark their cups!) Or, encourage attendees to bring their own reusable water bottles.
2.
Have on-site recycling bins.
Make sure those empty tennis ball cans and paper cups end up in recycling bins.
3.
Use less paper.
Paper registration requires the entrant to download the form and print it or pick up a copy from the event office, fill it out, write a cheque, and then either pay postage to mail it back or get in their car to drop it off.
Using online registration software to register attendees online makes life easier for you, since attendees can pay the tournament entry fee electronically by debit or credit card, and they receive an email confirmation immediately letting them know they are registered.
You don't have to spend time processing wasteful paper entry forms.
4.
If you do need to print materials, use post-consumer recycled paper.
5.
Recycle used tennis balls.
Each year approximately 300 million balls are produced, which contributes roughly 14,700 metric tons of waste in the form of rubber that is not easily biodegradable.
There are a few steps you can take to ensure the dozens of lightly-used balls from your tournament don't end up in a landfill: a.
Donate old balls to a local animal shelter or humane society as toys for dogs.
b.
Call local senior centers or assisted-living facilities to see if they accept donations.
Tennis balls are excellent skid stoppers on the legs of walkers.
c.
Likewise, inquire at local schools to see if they need them for muffling squeaky desk legs in classrooms.
6.
Print your tournament T-shirts on organic cotton.
7.
Have a tennis clothing and shoe drive.
In your marketing materials, ask attendees to bring old tennis shoes and clothing to the tournament.
Donate clothes to a charity and shoes to an organisation that recycles footwear.
8.
Use biodegradable banners/signage and serving ware.
Imagine folks in a junk yard in the year 2040, pulling your fully-intact non-biodegradable "2009 Tennis Tournament" banner from the rubble.
Not a nice thought.
Research printers that will make your signage on biodegradable materials so the banner isn't around longer than we are.
9.
Get creative with sustainable prizes.
How about planting a tree in the winner's honor? Or purchasing a renewable energy credit from a green energy company? There are lots of ways you can supplement or replace the regular champion's prize with a "green" prize.
Use your imagination! 10.
Turn lights off on courts that aren't being used.
This seems obvious, but take extra care to turn off lights on indoor/outdoor courts that aren't being used.
Those big lights use a lot of energy.
The truth is that every single thing we do every day has an impact on the planet -- good or bad.
Even small changes can make a difference and raise awareness in the importance of protecting the environment.
By incorporating a "green" theme into your next tennis tournament, you can provide something different to your players while raising awareness in helping the planet.