How do golf courses deal with the issue of plastic avoidance? In view of the fact that the golf industry is also confronted with numerous plastic products in packaging materials, in the catering sector, but also in the pro store, one can also speak of a plastic problem here. Troon International, one of the world’s largest golf management companies, has set itself the goal of avoiding plastic and is trying to implement this at as many of its 60 golf clubs in 20 countries as possible.
Al Hamra Golf Club in the United Arab Emirates was the first golf club in the Middle East to go completely plastic-free – no plastic bottles, no straws.
The Els Club Dubai has introduced refill stations for water and encourages guests to bring their own drinking bottles.
The three Emaar Golf Clubs – Montgomerie, Dubai Hills and Arabian Ranches – have successfully removed all single-use plastic products from their operations.
In Europe, Las Colinas Golf & Country Club (Spain) replaces over 50,000 plastic bottles with biodegradable Tetra Paks every year. Plastic tees are banned, and cups at water stations are compostable.
The Grove in the UK dispenses with single-use plastic in all catering areas and pursues a zero waste to landfill strategy.
PGA National Czech Republic opts for environmentally friendly cardboard boxes instead of plastic bottles – part of a comprehensive initiative for sustainable golf.
Because plastic avoidance was also made the main topic of this year’s World Environment Day by host South Korea and international attention was drawn to the problem under #BEATPLASTICPOLLUTION, the golf industry is also called upon to ensure greater awareness among golfers.
According to the UN Environment Programme, around 400 million tons of plastic are produced every year, around half of which is used for disposable products. Only nine percent of plastic waste is recycled, the rest ends up in landfills, incinerators or – even worse – in the environment. 11 million tons of plastic waste end up in the oceans every year – and the trend is rising.
