Green to the Fore at BMW PGA Championship2 min read

Arena Group re-use initiative making key contribution to European Tour Green Drive

A new sustainability initiative is running at this year’s BMW PGA Championship, which will see the provision of over 8,000m2 of carpet, lino and Astroturf donated to local charities and community projects after the event has finished.

Initially introduced at the 2014 Ryder Cup, where 5,000m2 of materials from its temporary structures were re-used, Arena Group and Green Element – Arena’s retained environmental management consultancy – worked alongside The European Tour and Golf Environment Organization (GEO), to bring this week’s project to fruition.

The European Tour has now enlisted Arena Group and Green Element to extend the scheme to other events including the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open, Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, The Senior Open Championship presented by Rolex and the Ricoh Women’s British Open.

Dave Withey, Arena UK & Europe sales and marketing director, explains: “Many of our products have long life-cycles which means that what we can’t re-use directly at other golf tournaments and events, can be a valuable resource to locally organisations. Some of the high quality materials we offer can make a real difference to groups such as schools and charities and we are really looking forward to continuing this work with The European Tour.”

Arena Group and Green Element are calling for any local charities or organisations that would like to get involved to register for a collection by completing the short form at this link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ArenaWentworthPGA. Local scrap stores and charities have already expressed interest and signed up to the programme.

William Richardson, MD at Green Element, concludes: “This is a really important project and it’s vital if we want to ensure the long term sustainability of major sporting events. We’re also working with Arena Group on other projects including Wimbledon and the AEGON Championships; it’s great to see so many sporting organisations investing in sustainability and understanding the difference it can make.”

The re-use initiative is part of European Tour’s broader sustainability programme, The European Tour Green Drive, which reaches out across tournaments and the venues they are played at. The programme aims to enhance nature, conserve resources and support communities at events across the Tour’s annual schedule.

Fredrik Lindgren, Head of Corporate Responsibility at The European Tour, said: “The European Tour recognises the importance of hosting ever-more sustainable events. One aspects of this is minimising the consumption of resources, and working towards zero waste to landfill.

“The re-use initiative is one way in which we are reducing our impact here at the BMW PGA Championship this year and we are delighted to be working with Arena, Green Element and Golf Environment Organisation on this initiative, to provide local community groups with these useful new materials.”