Working in collaboration with the NRDC, the US Open has put together a :30 second public service announcement encouraging fans to reduce their paper, water, and energy use so that we can all lessen our collective impact on the environment.

The United States Tennis Association is proud to announce that the 2013 US Open marks the beginning of the sixth year of its US Open environmental initiatives program.. Since the program's launch in 2008, the USTA's efforts to lessen the US Open's impact on the environment has resulted in:

• Diverting over 870 tons of US Open waste saving over 1,500 tons of greenhouse gas emissions from being released into the atmosphere.
• Recycling approximately 1 million plastic bottles.
• Welcoming close to 2 million fans to the US Open via mass transit.
• Since 2008, the USTA has offset enough electricity to power over 600 homes for one year.

The USTA's environmental program is constantly evolving and seeking innovative ways to reduce the impact the US Open has on the environment.  Some of the new initiatives and updates for the program for 2013 are as follows: 

• Natural Resources Defense Council – The NRDC will supply 605 metric tons of carbon offsets to offset the carbon emissions generated from player travel to the event as well as from the fuel consumed on-site to run the 2013 US Open.
• Last year's waste is put to good use – The compost made from the waste collected during the 2012 US Open will be feeding the plants all around the site at the 2013 US Open.
• Green Sports Alliance – The US Open is excited to be a part of the third annual Green Sports Alliances Summit held in New York City August 26 – 28, 2013. The Summit will bring together over 500 industry stakeholders to learn from more than 80 leaders at the forefront of the sports greening movement. As a part of the Summit, the US Open will be hosting a number of Summit VIPs for a behind-the-scenes tour of the US Open's work to lessen the event's impact on the environment. Additionally, one of the leaders of the US Open's environmental initiatives program will be speaking at the Summit on ways to green sporting events. For more information, please visit: http://summit.greensportsalliance.org/.
• Expansion of composting program for fan waste – For the 2011 and 2012 US Opens, the USTA expanded its composting program to include not only the organic waste from the kitchens, but also the fan waste from the Food Village as well as the eateries located in and around Arthur Ashe Stadium.  As a result of this program, during those two events the USTA collected 243 tons of waste and turned it into compost for landscape and farming uses.  For 2013, the USTA expects to collect over 155 tons of compostable waste.
• GDF Suez to supply Green-e Certified RECs – GDF Suez, the US Open's energy provider, will supply Green-e certified wind renewable energy certificates to match the electricity generated during the 2013 US Open.
• Collaborating with other Grand Slam Tournaments – On June 5, 2013, World Environment Day, the US Open took part in an initial meeting held between the sustainability managers of the four Grand Slam tournaments.  The goal of this meeting was to introduce each of our sustainability programs as well as exchange views and ideas.  During this meeting all four sustainability managers agreed to work together in this space in order to make the four major tournaments models for social responsibility.

The US Open has been in the forefront for green initiatives at sporting events and in encouraging fans to help preserve the environment.  In collaboration with environmental consultant eco evolutions, llc as well as with the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and the Green Sports Alliance, a group of leading environmental organizations, the USTA will once again be working toward reducing the impact that the US Open has on the environment.  In addition to the initiatives described above, the USTA will continue to expand on existing elements of its green initiatives program.

Green Initiatives at the 2013 US Open

Recycling & Composting

• The USTA will continue its fan waste recycling program with a one-to-one ratio of trash and recycling receptacles throughout the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
• The USTA collects the tennis balls used during the matches and player's practices to reuse in USTA tennis programs and donate to various community and youth organizations throughout the United States.
• From the kitchens at the US Open, over 12,000 gallons of food grease will be converted into biodiesel fuel.
• Over 155 tons of food and fan waste will be collected to be turned into compost for landscape and farming uses.

Energy

• The NRDC will supply 605 metric tons of carbon offsets to offset the carbon emissions generated from player travel to the event as well as from the fuel consumed on-site to run the 2013 US Open.
• GDF Suez, the US Open's energy provider, will supply Green-e certified wind renewable energy certificates to match the electricity generated during the 2013 US Open.

Transportation

• The USTA will continue to welcome 60% of its fans via mass transit.
• The NRDC will be supplying the USTA with enough carbon offsets to offset the estimated 2.15 million miles players travel by air as well as the 134,000 miles they travel on the ground to get to the 2013 US Open.

Paper Procurement

• The 2.4 million napkins in the general concession area are comprised of 100% recycled material.
• All US Open-related printed materials (US Open media guide, marketing collateral, tickets and the Daily Drawsheet, among others) will be composed of at least 30 percent post-consumer waste.
• US Open tickets are printed on paper comprised of 30 percent post-consumer waste, and parking books, parking visors and coupon books are printed on paper comprised of 10 – 15 percent post-consumer waste.
• 100 percent of paper towel dispensers have been replaced with motion-sensor dispensers and all paper towels are comprised of 40 percent post-consumer waste.

Food & Service Ware

• The service ware in the US Open Food Village and in Arthur Ashe Stadium eateries is 100 percent compostable.
• Utensils, plates, cups, etc. are comprised of bio-based materials.
• Over 40% of US Open food is locally sourced.
• The US Open will donate 13.6 tons of food to the local community.

Fan Awareness

• 2013 US Open Green Initiatives are featured in the official 2013 US Open Program.
• NRDC's Eco-Tips (environmental tips) will be featured in the Daily Drawsheet as well as communicated through US Open social media channels.

US Open Merchandise

• At the US Open Collection merchandise locations, fans will receive with their purchase a US Open souvenir-style shopping bag designed for multiple-use with a “Recycle and Reuse” message printed on the bottom.
• The US Open Collection will feature for sale a reusable tote made from 80 percent post-consumer waste, notepads printed on recycled paper, and journals and notecard cases constructed from 100 percent recycled paperboard and 100 percent recycled post-consumer and post-industrial paper product.