FLUSHING, N.Y., August 20, 2024

The United States Tennis Association (USTA) celebrates the 17th year of its US Open sustainability program, continuing the tournament’s decade-plus commitment to reducing the environmental impact of the US Open and helping to create a more sustainable future for our planet.

The US Open today marked the launch of its newest initiative as New York City Mayor’s Office officials joined US Open leaders to announce that the US Open has become the first sports entity to join the New York City Mayor’s Office for Food Policy’s Plant-Powered Carbon Challenge. As part of the Challenge, the US Open joined other citywide signatories by committing to make a 25% reduction in its food-related carbon footprint by 2030.

Since the program’s inception in 2008, working with sustainability consultant eco evolutions, the US Open has reduced its harmful greenhouse gas emissions by more than 167,900 metric tons. More than 8,700 tons of waste generated during the US Open has been diverted from landfills, saving equivalent of greenhouse gas emissions from 1,880 passenger cars being driven for a year. Through composting leftover organic matter, nearly 1,000 tons of food waste has been converted into nutrient-rich material for gardens and farms as well as renewable energy, along with more than 240 tons of food being donated to local communities.

As part of the US Open’s continued commitment to climate-intelligent humanitarian initiatives, returning in 2024 is a carbon offset program that provides improved cookstoves in Africa. The US Open will offset the estimated carbon generated to run the event as well as from player travel to compete in the event, employee travel to work the event and fan travel for Finals Weekend. This equates to approximately 10 million miles traveled by airplane, car or subway. This initiative provides strong environmental benefits as the reduced consumption of biomass will result in emission reductions and decrease deforestation.

US Open sponsors and partners are also making significant contributions to sustainability at the US Open.

For example, the Polo Ralph Lauren ball crew Polos will be made from yarn derived from recycled plastic bottles. The fabric will also have functional performance features, such as stretch and moisture-wicking properties, all constructed for active play. In addition, the tennis ball cans used at the US Open have shifted to a four ball can with no label and continue to feature Wilson’s Eco Overcap, which reduces the amount of plastic by half, leaving a smaller footprint on the environment overall, while, in 2024, evian will complete its efforts to make all plastic bottles from 100% recycled plastic (excluding cap and label).

The US Open is proud to have earned LEED Silver certification for Louis Armstrong Stadium, which premiered at the 2018 US Open. LEED, or Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design, is a green-building certification program that recognizes best-in-class building strategies and practices. A number of sustainable design elements were incorporated into Louis Armstrong Stadium, including fixtures that use 40% less water than standard buildings, landscaping that is designed to use 55% less water than traditional landscaping and low-emitting paints and finishes. In addition, during construction, 95% of waste was recycled. This is the third LEED certified structure at the home of the US Open, the others being the Grandstand Stadium and VIP/Transportation Building.

Additional components of the US Open sustainability initiative include:

• Recycling and Composting
  • More than 10 tons of plastic are recycled during the event, helping the event divert 95% of waste from landfills
  • The USTA will continue to recycle the clean plastic wrap used by vendors throughout the site of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center during the event.
  • At the conclusion of the 2024 US Open, the USTA will be donating the metal lids from the tennis ball cans used during the event to the Ronald McDonald House in Valhalla, N.Y.  These metal lids will be recycled to benefit the Ronald McDonald House’s Pull Tab Collection Program for that location.
  • The USTA collects the Wilson tennis balls used during matches and players’ practices to reuse in USTA tennis programs and to donate to various community and youth organizations throughout the United States.  A portion of the balls from the 2024 US Open will be donated to Recycleballs.
  • Nearly 100 tons of food waste from the US Open kitchens will be processed by an anaerobic digester to produce renewable electricity.
  • Much of the US Open staff, as well as ballpersons, are provided with reusable water bottles to reduce the use of single use plastic water bottles.
• Construction and Grounds
  • The USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center is home to three LEED certified structures including: Louis Armstrong Stadium (LEED Silver); Grandstand Stadium; and the Transportation Building.
  • The USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center has added even more water refilling stations on site to reduce single use plastic use.
  • Louis Armstrong Stadium:
    • Louis Armstrong Stadium uses 40% less water than is used in standard buildings.
    • Landscaping around Louis Armstrong Stadium is designed to use 55% less water than traditional landscaping.
    • During construction of Louis Armstrong Stadium, 95% of the waste was recycled.
    • Louis Armstrong Stadium is designed to use nearly 30% less energy than is used in standard buildings.
    • More than 10% of the materials used in Louis Armstrong Stadium’s construction were made from recycled materials.
    • Louis Armstrong Stadium is located close to public transportation, encouraging fans to take mass transit and help reduce the carbon footprint.
    • Low-emitting paints and finishes were used in Louis Armstrong Stadium’s construction to reduce the emission of pollutants.
    • Waste generated in Louis Armstrong Stadium is recycled and composted to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills.
  • Grandstand Stadium:
    • During the Grandstand’s construction, more than 80% of waste was recycled.
    • Primarily due to LED lights, the Grandstand uses 15% less energy than is used in standard buildings.
    • The Grandstand makes use of a rainwater treatment system to remove contaminants before the rainwater is discharged into the environment.
    • The Grandstand uses 40% less water than is used in standard buildings.
    • The Grandstand’s white roof reflects heat to keep the stadium cooler.
    • More than 10% of the materials used in the Grandstand’s construction were made from recycled materials.
    • Low-emitting paints and finishes were used in the Grandstand’s construction to reduce the emission of pollutants.
  • Foam glass, made from 1.3 million recycled glass bottles was used under the foundation of the new US Open broadcast building.
  • Water refill stations are located throughout the site to encourage re-use of water bottles.
  • LED court lights have been installed and will save a total of 90,000 kWh; 50% more efficient than regular stadium lighting.
  • Vendors are provided with a US Open Green Cleaning Policy specifying preferred cleaning products to be used during the US Open.
• Food Service
  • Paper or compostable straws will replace plastic straws across the site.
  • The majority of the service ware throughout the site is compostable, composed of bio-based materials.
  • US Open food concessionaire, Levy Restaurants, is locally sourcing approximately 30% of its produce and ingredients for the food offered on site.  In addition, Levy Restaurants offers 50% naturally-raised protein, 18% vegetarian menu options and 3% vegan options
  • The US Open expects to donate almost 25 tons of food to the local community.
• Paper Products
  • The 3 million napkins in the general concession area are comprised of 100% recycled material.
  • The US Open Daily is printed on 10% post-consumer waste (PCW) recycled paper
  • US Open tickets are exclusively electronic.
  • All US Open digital event cards are provided electronically in place of the over 48,000 plastic versions purchased in the past.
• Transportation
  • The USTA will continue to welcome nearly 60% of its fans via mass transit or through rideshare.
  • The US Open will offset the estimated 6.5 million miles players travel by ground and air to compete at the US Open; the 3.8 million miles employees travel to work the event; and the 1.4 million miles traveled by ground by fans to attend Finals Weekend.
• Fan Awareness
  • 2024 US Open Sustainability Initiatives are featured in the official 2024 US Open Program.
  • US Open Sustainability Program facts will be highlighted in-stadium.
  • Environmental facts related to the construction of Louis Armstrong Stadium and Grandstand are displayed throughout those areas.
  • The fan survey includes a question about sustainability. In 2023, results showed that over half of the fans surveyed prioritized water refilling stations over other sustainability initiatives (10 more water refilling stations were added in 2024).
• US Open Merchandise
  • The US Open Collection will feature for sale a reusable tote made from 80% post-consumer waste; microfiber towels made from 100% recycled materials; and a women’s jacket made from eco-friendly fabric.
  • The Polo Ralph Lauren ball crew polos will be made from yarn derived from recycled plastic bottles