For the past several years, Tennis Canada has been working tirelessly to minimize its environmental footprint and become a sustainability leader in Canada and throughout the world by 2030.
In addition to achieving its core mission, it also wants to leave a lasting and positive legacy for fans, players and communities across the country. To meet that goal and lead the sustainable growth of tennis in Canada, the federation is committed to hosting world-class tournaments—the National Bank Open presented by Rogers in Montréal and Toronto—that are environmentally and socially responsible.
PRIORITY AREAS
In light of the complexity of implementing a sustainability strategy and aligning it with its goals, vision and mission, Tennis Canada identified the four priority areas that are most relevant to the National Bank Open presented by Rogers WTA and ATP events and essential to understanding our commitment to the environment and our communities.
Residual materials and water management
- Recyclable and compostable materials management throughout the site
- On-site sorting centre
- Recovery of 75 to 80% of the residual materials generated during the tournament
- Use of only compostable and recyclable dinnerware
- Ban on the use of no.6 plastics
- Coffee capsules collected and recycled
- 10,000 tennis balls collected though the Recycleballs.ca program
- Reuse of the grass carpet
- Reusable bottles allowed on site
- Reuse of the posters and signage (dates removed)
- Reuse of the banners facing the court
- Indigenous plants and flowers requiring less water planted on site
Energy and emissions management
- Carbon neutrality
- Offset energy use during the tournament (electricity, natural gas, propane and gasoline)
- Offset air travel for all players flying into Montréal
- Offset daily travel for all staff and volunteers over 10 days
- Hybrid models for official cars
- Electric carts to drive players around the site
- New bicycle parking spaces
Social responsibility
- 31,000 free tickets for Family Weekend
- 216 free bleacher seats in Parc Jarry
- Site adapted for families and people with reduced mobility
- Financial contribution to community kitchens in the Villeray borough ($0.15 for every ticket sold)
- Surplus food donated to La Tablée des chefs and the Maison du Père
- Metal rings from ball cans sold and money donated
- Surplus material (clothing, shoes, water bottles) donated to youth organizations
- Official hotels all Green Key members
- Park clean-up by Tennis Canada employees after the tournament
- Support for the social integration of visible minorities through our volunteer program
Communication
- Creation of a multi-departmental committee of Tennis Canada employees
- Sustainable development messages displayed on giant screens during the matches
- Publications on social media to share the tournament’s initiatives
- Recyclable and compostable materials identified at key locations on site
- Green team on site
- Sustainable development plan mentioned when announcing the list of players
- Implementation of an independent third-party audit system to verify our data
NEW INITIATIVES — NBO 2022
Year after year, the National Bank Open presented by Rogers pursues its responsible management efforts and continues to put in place new initiatives to attain its targets and minimize its environmental footprint. The 2022 tournament is no exception, and a range of new actions and improvements will help us become more and more sustainable.
| Residual materials and water management | Nine new water bottle filling stations Ambitious goal to recycle 80 to 85% of residual materials Use of reusable glasses in private lounges and food concessions New self-serve fountain drink machine for volunteers and employees No more printed daily programs New reusable accreditation lanyards with no date Less single-use flooring and floor covering Compostable dishes and utensils on site |
| Energy and emissions management | Efficient low-energy LED lighting on Centre Court and Rogers Court Better control of lighting at night 17 trees and climbing plants planted on site |
| Social responsibility | Equipment lent to other events and organizations outside the tournament Collaboration with our main suppliers to reduce their environmental footprints for the tournament |
| Communications | Transparent and detailed dissemination of the results of our sustainability initiatives at the end of the tournament Better messaging related to residual materials management |
Make the difference
The success of our sustainability efforts depends in large part on public participation. Visitors to IGA Stadium have the power to make a real difference during our tournament through small everyday actions that yield significant collective impacts.
Residual materials and water management
Sort your waste by placing the right material in the right bin! Our green team will be on hand to help.
Bring your reusable bottle and fill it up at our water stations.
Place your radio headsets in the recycling bins or reuse them at home.
Energy and emissions management
Take public transit to help reduce the greenhouse gas emissions generated by the tournament. Use your ticket for free access to the STM public transit network on the day of the match!
If you have to drive to IGA Stadium, purchase carbon credits to offset the trip. The NBO works with Planétair.
Social responsibility
Drop off your bag and make a donation to the Tennis Canada Foundation, which supports tennis development across communities. Then, grab a beer and a poutine—all the profits from the tournament are reinvested in Canadian tennis.
Communication
Follow the movement and contribute to our green initiatives during the tournament and at home. Share our posts and help us encourage tennis fans to take action!
STRATEGIC PROGRAM AND TARGETS
Tennis Canada drafted a strategic plan for sustainable development to guide its actions, set its annual targets and ensure the National Bank Open presented by Rogers, which is part of the Hologic WTA Tour and ATP Tour, is:
- zero waste by 2030;
- carbon neutral by 2030;
- environmentally and socially sustainable by 2030; and
- an advocate and inspiration for community action by 2030.
Tennis Canada has also partnered with RECYC-QUÉBEC, the official green partner of the
National Bank Open presented by Rogers, to ensure that the event continues to progress and positions itself as a benchmark for sustainability in the world.
WHY 2030?
Why 2030? Because it challenges Tennis Canada to be a world leader in tennis sustainability and still allows sufficient time to adapt its actions and adopt new technologies, methods and processes that will leave an enduring and tangible legacy for fans, players and communities.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Tennis Canada would like to thank the Conseil québécois des événements écoresponsables (CQEER) for its support in the development and implementation of our strategic plan.
To learn more about the CQEER and its services for organizations seeking to integrate sustainable development into their event management practices, go to evenementecoresponsable.com.
