Canada's world-class National Bank Open presented by Rogers (NBO) kicks off this weekend for another 12 days of action, and this year's tennis tournament promises to be bigger, better and more sustainable thanks to a partnership with Waterloo researchers.
While the schedule includes more athletes and matches, organizers are working to transform the event into a net-zero and waste-free one by 2030. To spearhead this important work, Tennis Canada has partnered with Dr. Jennifer Lynes and Kari Gunton, a Master of Sustainability Management candidate, in the Faculty of Environment.
"We started partnering with them last April," Lynes says. "Their leadership is excellent, and they have a good volunteer base that is passionate about the environment. Everyone is dedicated to seeing Tennis Canada walk the talk."
Building on that shared commitment, the team's strategy last year was twofold: implement adjustments where possible and conduct a survey and waste audit to assess current sustainability behaviors and perceived barriers.
As part of this approach, they created new communications strategies and signage to promote existing sustainability initiatives and how to use them. To boost participation, waste sorting was gamified by introducing a prize wheel operated by the volunteer team. Fans could drop off their waste at the sorting station and spin the prize wheel for sustainably sourced prizes, including tennis balls from the matches. These initiatives combined saw a sharp improvement in the landfill diversion rate - an increase of 16 per cent compared to the previous year.
Waste sorting was gamified by introducing a prize wheel operated by the volunteer team. Fans could drop off their waste at the sorting station and spin the prize wheel for sustainably sourced prizes, including tennis balls from the matches.
Throughout the event, fans were asked about their awareness of and engagement in the NBO's sustainability initiatives. The short survey allowed researchers to understand people's waste disposable habits and the perceived barriers to proper waste disposal. The responses from the survey coupled with the onsite learnings are now being used to improve the initiatives for this year's event.
"One of the key findings from last year was that we not only needed to educate fans about waste sorting, but it was equally important for staff and volunteers as well," Gunton says. "This year we are piloting new training sessions to make sure the resources are there for everyone who needs them."
The team will also be partnering with local charities who can use the surplus food on site, while a new partnership with the Waste Management company will reduce the amount of recyclable and compostable materials that end up in the landfill. In addition, they are also working to promote sustainability initiatives pre-event so fans can learn how to engage with Tennis Canada's sustainability goals, like bringing reusable bottles and taking public transit to the event. Long term, they are working towards reducing the event's direct emissions by incorporating more electric and hybrid vehicles for staff and player transportation and improving their carbon emissions offsets.
While challenges remain, many are working hard to achieve these ambitious goals and proving that sustainability and sports can go hand in hand. As Lynes points out, "2030 is a nice round number, but it's not that far away." Over the next few years, she and Gunton will continue collaborating with staff and volunteers to make meaningful progress, confident they're getting closer to realizing their shared vision.
"It's exciting to be at the forefront of sustainability in sports," says Gunton who not only grew up playing tennis but was once a nationally and internationally ranked player. She fondly recalls travelling from her home province of British Columbia to compete at the Canadian nationals and watch the nearby professional matches. Gunton now plans to pursue a career working with Tennis Canada and other organizations to achieve a sustainable future.
"I think eventually this is the direction all the professional tennis tournaments and all high-level sports are going to go," she says. "It's exciting to see Tennis Canada's National Bank Open be among those first tournaments to pursue sustainability in a really transparent and proactive way."
