When it comes to sustainability, the National Bank Open presented by Rogers in Montreal has been breaking new ground for over a decade
Our leading initiatives include a sorting station presented by WM, the use of compostable and reusable tableware, greenhouse gas emissions reductions and offsetting, food redistribution and our volunteer green squad presented by RECYC-Québec that helps ensure the sorting stations run smoothly. On the stadium grounds, there are more than 140 recycling and composting bins so visitors can separate their waste. Twelve cooling water fountains are also set up on site. Again this year, all the tennis balls will be recycled through the Recycle Balls program, and the tournament in Montréal aims to exceed the 2,200 balls recycled last year.
New in 2024
Through a partnership with Café Saint-Henri, freshly ground coffee will replace the pods used on site and reduce daily waste by a significant amount. The coffee grounds will be composted.
To make the site even more accessible, a bike transportation service will shuttle people with reduced mobility between the outer parking lots and the tournament site so they can get to the heart of the action more quickly. The service will be available starting on Sunday, August 4 and run during peak periods until 8:30 p.m. so as not to affect traffic when the sessions let out.
Significant reduction in food waste in cooperation with La Tablée des Chefs
In 2024, the tournament’s key sustainability objective is to divert 70% of residual materials from landfill, which represents an increase of 9% compared to last year.
To achieve this goal, the NBO will focus on a series of initiatives including food recovery, the strategic location of the WM sorting station, the use of reusable glasses and the recycling of balls and the materials that make up the canisters and of racquet strings thanks to Tennis Giant.
Read: On-Site Sorting Station Powered by WM Drives OBN Sustainability Efforts
As in previous years, food from the concessions and private suites will be redistributed to local community organizations through La Tablée des Chefs, which will work in cooperation with on-site caterers including the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth. Redistributing surplus food enables us to reduce the quantities of waste generated and have a positive impact on the community. The initiative will benefit Le Patro Villeray, the Maison de Quartier Villeray, PACT de rue and several other neighborhood associations around IGA Stadium.
“We’re proud of the progress our tournament has made on sustainable development in recent years, but the job’s never done,” said Geneviève Marchand, Director of IGA Stadium at Tennis Canada. “This year, through our food redistribution initiatives, sorting stations and partnerships with local organizations, we hope to continue making a difference in the community while pursuing our goal of becoming a zero-waste tournament by 2030.”
Thanks to the progress made year after year and the participation of everyone involved, the National Bank Open continues to build a greener and more sustainable future and demonstrate how small changes at major events can have a positive impact on communities.
Click here to learn more about Tennis Canada’s commitment to sustainability.
Related news
