Revolutionizing Sustainability: How the WM Phoenix Open Charts a Green Future

Scottsdale,AZ — The 2025 WM Phoenix Open’s 16th hole witnessed a scene of exhilarating chaos. Emiliano Grillo’s hole-in-one ignited a frenzy among the 20,000+ fans, resulting in the customary beer shower of discarded cups onto the green. But this year, that tradition unexpectedly contributed to a meaningful environmental achievement.

The 2023 ban on aluminum cans at the event paved the way for a groundbreaking initiative. Title sponsor WM introduced thousands of reusable cups made from recycled materials, distributed at the iconic 16th hole adn select 18th-hole suites. Fans were encouraged to return their cups to designated bins for cleaning and reuse, or storage for the following year. while the exuberant fans may not have considered themselves environmental advocates, their actions became a powerful example of sustainability in action.

A Green Legacy

This reusable cup initiative is just one element of WM’s extensive sustainability program at the Phoenix Open, a program spanning their 16 years as title sponsor. Hosting the world’s largest zero-waste sporting event—with an estimated 500,000 to 700,000 attendees throughout tournament week—is a monumental undertaking. WM’s commitment extends beyond “eco-amiable,” aiming for—and anticipating—a 13th consecutive year of zero-waste certification in 2025.

This certification signifies that nothing ends up in a landfill. Trash cans are absent; all materials are recycled, composted, reused, donated, or converted into recovered energy. For WM and the tournament hosts, The Thunderbirds, sustainability is not a buzzword but a deeply ingrained mission. It’s a multifaceted process that goes beyond simple waste disposal and landfill diversion.

WM and The Thunderbirds employ a data-driven approach, constantly evaluating and refining their processes. “We get a new shot at it every single year,” explained Ashley Haight, WM senior associate, Advisory Services. “Such as, we’ve now designed the entire process so that everything that you eat is compostable and everything that you drink is recyclable.” Lee Spivak, WM Director of Advisory Services, added, “We try an approach and then we’re able to scale it up here and take it to other customers. If it works here, it’s going to work at your event or venue.”

The Science and Art of Sustainability

WM’s sustainability mission statement encompasses three core tenets: 1) Material is repurposed; 2) Energy is renewable; 3) Communities are thriving. These principles underpin a multitude of complex initiatives, many showcased at the WM Phoenix Open.

Recycling and composting form the cornerstone of the zero-waste event. The course boasts 4,800 cardboard recycling and compost bins (made from recycled materials), along with 29 massive, 6-ton compactors for collecting these materials. In 2024, a remarkable 257 tons of composted material and 802 tons of recycled material were collected. Since 2013, a total of 17,735,000 pounds of material has been diverted from landfills.

Behind-the-scenes efforts are equally crucial. Construction and demolition materials are reused, donated, or recycled. In 2024, 21,300 square feet of signage was reused, and 243 tons of building materials were donated to local organizations. Scrim from structures is transformed into pellets for WM residential waste containers. In 2024, glass reuse increased elevenfold compared to recycling. Since 2011, 89,000 gallons of gray water (from cooking, cleaning, and melted ice) have been captured and reused in portable toilets. Spivak highlighted the challenge: “Controlling procurement in a way that focuses even increasingly more on reuse, I think that’s a big challenge. Getting the operational logistics to align with reuse is something that’s really a big deal.”

Sustainable Style

Apparel provides another compelling example of sustainability innovation. Brent Bell, WM Vice president of Recycling, led a tour of the 25,000-square-foot PGA TOUR Fan Shop, revealing high-end apparel made from recycled plastic bottles. These bottles are crushed and sent to Unifi Manufacturing in North Carolina, where they are transformed into yarn for clothing and shoes. A shirt requires 6-9 bottles, while a sweater needs around 10. Bell emphasized that while recycled materials are frequently more expensive, the environmental benefits justify the cost: “What we always tell folks, and I think you’re seeing this movement here, is it’s a small price to pay for the habitat as your other option is just using the natural resources that are being depleted.”

Food Waste Reduction

Food processing and waste management represent another area of significant progress. Doug Janison, director of special events for M Culinary Concepts, oversees food service in hospitality areas. His team served between 250,000 and 300,000 portions during the tournament. Janison described the shift from plastic plates and cutlery to a more sustainable system using compostable cups and bamboo forks. “No more plates, knives, spoons, lids, straws, or coffee cup sleeves,” he stated. Vendors are contractually obligated to meet strict sustainability requirements, undergoing a rigorous vetting process. Food waste is sent to the Arizona Worm Farm, but the primary focus is on minimizing waste from the outset. “If we’re overproducing on the front end, we’re just causing a little bit of the problem,” Janison explained. Unsold food is donated to local communities; in 2024, 22,300 pounds of food benefited 13 partner agencies.

Engaging the Community

The WM Green Scene, a popular on-course public engagement area, offered interactive, family-friendly activities promoting sustainability. Mike Watson, WM Chief Customer Officer, explained the zone’s purpose: “the goal in this fan zone is to help the participants and fans understand about how they could be more sustainable at their homes but also inform them of what’s really going on in the world of sustainability around water conservation and greenhouse gas emissions.” The Green Scene included free water refill stations and an MLB-inspired recycling toss.

A Model for Sustainability

Tara Hemmer, WM senior vice president and chief sustainability officer, emphasized the economic and environmental value of their approach: “We’ve always said that in order for something to be sustainable it has to drive economic and environmental value,” she stated. “And now we partner with dozens of sports organizations, events and customers where they’ve seen the event here, on TV or experienced it in person. It’s really been an exciting way for us to continue to grow sustainability, not only in sports, but across multiple customer segments.” WM Advisory Services offers a range of services,including emissions footprint analysis and operational enhancement strategies. In 2024, WM became the first Official Sustainability Partner of Major League Baseball, collaborating with all 30 teams to enhance their sustainability efforts.

Spivak highlighted the collaborative nature of their work: “It starts with small steps to become more sustainable each year. What I’m excited about is our ability to partner with customers at diffrent levels of their sustainability journey and help them along. We’re basically a Swiss army knife,” he added. “We’re going to help with your strategy, your materials management and in a way that I don’t think anyone else comes close to us. We’re also going to help with your stakeholder engagement.” WM is building a network of customers to share best practices and create a wider impact.

Employee Engagement

The hundreds of WM managers and staff working at the tournament demonstrated high levels of engagement, even attending a 5:30 a.m. briefing with breakfast and an interactive quiz. The complex staffing operation was divided into nine zones, with managers in 14 locations, including a night shift. WM’s commitment to employee engagement is reflected in its recognition as one of the best workplaces. Spivak emphasized the importance of employee input: “I had an idea and then people took it and actualized it and made it way better than I could have ever done it. Just that an employee could have this idea and be listened to and then it’s acted on is really meaningful to me.”

Giving Back

The WM Phoenix Open Working for Tomorrow Fund^SM, established in 2024, supports emissions reduction, sustainable materials management, and water management projects. Dow is a major sponsor, and initiatives like the Saturday Green Out, a 50/50 raffle, and additional sponsor donations contributed to raising nearly $420,000 in its first year. The Thunderbirds also announced a record $17.5 million raised from the 2024 tournament, bringing the total donated to local charities to $142 million since WM became the title sponsor.

A lasting Legacy

The WM Phoenix Open/Thunderbirds partnership has been extended through 2030. WM will continue its efforts to lead in environmental services, using innovative materials management to create a positive impact. Thunderbirds Charities will continue supporting local non-profits focused on sports, health, education, the arts, and social services.Thomas Detry may have held the trophy, but the true winners were WM, The Thunderbirds, and the local community.