Waste Management recommits emphasis on sustainability at WM Phoenix Open

Houston-based Waste Management announced it has committed to make the Waste Management Phoenix Open the first PGA Tour tournament included in the United Nations Climate Change “Sports for Climate Action” international collaboration. The Sports for Climate Action Framework was signed by title sponsor Waste Management and Scottsdale, Arizona-based tournament hosts, The Thunderbirds, placing the event alongside other leading sports organizations participating, including the International Olympic Committee, the NBA, FIFA, and the U.S Tennis Association.

According to Waste Management, the tournament will embrace and advance the principles established by the Sports for Climate Action Framework, including promoting environmental responsibility, reducing climate impact, educating participants around climate action, promoting sustainable and responsible consumption, and advocating for climate action.

The Waste Management Phoenix Open already implements a comprehensive sustainability program to manage impacts from materials, water, energy and greenhouse gas emissions, the company says. Waste Management also measures all operations, reduces impacts where possible, and balances the entire tournament’s water and carbon footprint.

“The Waste Management Phoenix Open is leading in sustainable sport, producing a zero waste event since 2013,” Waste Management President and CEO Jim Fish says. “Signing this commitment to Sports for Climate Action is an extension of the many ways we continue to take action for the betterment of our planet.”

“Our partnership with our title sponsor Waste Management has allowed us to do some remarkable things and create a working model for sustainable sport,” The Thunderbirds Big Chief Chance Cozby says. “We’re extremely proud to continue our leadership role in this space and look forward to affecting real change.” 

In January, Waste Management announced the extension of its title sponsorship of the Waste Management Phoenix open through 2030 and its new marketing relationship as the “Official Environmental Services Provider of the PGA Tour.” The Waste Management Phoenix Open publishes an annual sustainability report and shares zero waste event best practices at https://wmphoenixopen.com/sustainability/. To learn about Waste Management’s commitment to sustainability, visit https://sustainability.wm.com/.